In a wide-ranging interview with Cynthia Conte. LA Wildcat DE Shawn Oakman talks about everything from his childhood growing up following his Mom to a crack house, to the 2016 sexual assault allegations, to his time with the LA Wildcats.
During the interview, Oakman goes into detail on what happened with the LA Wildcats when they cut him before the season started. Then brought him back. Conte asked him what happened.
“It was on the field, but it was deeper than that. I had made a play on a player and we were supposed to do two hand touch and in my head I am just going full speed…. In my head I had something to prove, I had a chip on my shoulder, all these guys have been playing football, I hadn’t and I’m still trying to get it. I am still trying to prove that I am still that same person that ya’ll seen in College.
So I grabbed the kid and tried to twirl and the head coach didn’t like it. So that day, I had also tackled the quarterback and made another dumb play. That last play was the burner”
Oakman goes on to say that Coach Moss didn’t let him practice for the rest of the day. He later texted Moss and asked if he should pack his bags. Moss responded yes.
“It was deeper than just that play, that I didn’t realize after the fact, because Coach Moss really thankful for him because as I was at the airport, I was blowing up his phone.. with like I know what I can do… I was just playing fast… But I knew I couldn’t practice that way… but when he(Coach Moss) finally reached back to me he was like OK, I understand what you are saying but now I want you to go to therapy, get help with whatever you need to get help with and I’ll bring you back”
Oakman went to see therapist and got help for his anger issues. He returned just before the season started.
Currently, Oakman is working on a book and mentioned he had signed with the BC Lions of the CFL. We looked around to try and confirm that and don’t see any record on their site yet.
Never judge a book by a cover, you learn all about his childhood, being a foster kid, and everything that happened in his life in between. Where he is now, and where he wants to go. A great listen.
