College Football Fans Praying For Brent Venables Following Wife's Health Update
11/18/2024 10:03 PM
It's been a tough season for Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables not only on the field, but off it as well.
The Sooners are only 5-5 on the season and 1-5 in SEC play in their first year in the conference. But as hard as that might be on Venables from a professional standpoint, it pales in comparison to dealing with the return of his wife's cancer. Julie Venables was previously diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023, but as of March, had been declared cancer-free.
However, Venables told reporters tonight that testing in May determined the cancer had returned, and Julie has been commuting back and forth between Norman and New York City for chemotherapy treatments.
"She's doing good," Venables said Monday, via 247Sports."…We put together a really good gameplan. We consulted with lots of different people."
"She's doing amazing," Venables continued. "Her spirit and her strength are just nothing short of amazing. We've got a great team and great faith. It's in God's hands, and part of that battle—a big part of the battle is her willingness to fight and keep swinging, so that's what she's doing."
Not surprisingly, fans have been offering prayers and well-wishes for Julie on social media.
"Prayers sent," one person said.
"Best wishes to Coach Venables and his wife," another person added.
"Praying for the Venables," chimed in CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah.
"I can't imagine how hard it has been on their family. What a toll that must take. Prayers for her and the rest of the family for sure," a fourth person said.
"Praying for you coach," a Texas Tech fan added.
Brent and Julie Venables have been married since 1997 and have four children. The 53-year-old coach has been very open about his wife's health since going public with her diagnosis in the summer of 2023.
"We got a diagnosis on June 16 that'll knock you off your feet. And one that takes me back to talking to my mother in January of 2005... having a Stage 4 conversation and it's one of those where there's no blueprint on how you handle that," Venables told reporters in August 2023. "But our sanctuary and true shelter is our faith, and the power of prayer and so much support... it's been nothing short of amazing.
"She had surgery on Friday morning and we're hopeful that we maybe can avoid further treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. We'll find that out in the next several days. We're trying to help strengthen her and get her back on her feet. She's tough."
Let us join everyone else in sending our thoughts and prayers to Julie Venables as she fights.
Related: Wife Of Oklahoma Football Coach Brent Venables Has Cancer
