TOM GILBERT - World Publishing Company
FATHERLY LOVE -- OU running back De'Mond Parker and his 10-month-year-old daughter sit at Owens Field.
------------------------------------------------------------------------De'Mond Parker's eyes light up the room. His smile crosses his face. And he leans back in his chair, relaxes and cherishes for just a moment at a thought.

The sophomore running back for OU is not elated thinking about scoring touchdowns, gaining 100 yards or defeating the Syracuse Orangemen today on Owen Field.

But his thought of Dominique, his 10-month-old baby girl, is the reason Parker is so excited.

Combined with his expressions and thoughtful words, Parker shows that he cherishes her, cares for her and has the ultimate desire to be successful for her. In other words, he's a proud father.

But with all of the fame, the possible money and the life long status a potential star can achieve, none of them are the prime reason Parker wants to conquer the football world.

"She is my biggest inspiration, and my biggest fan," Parker said. "I'm trying to have a better lifestyle for her and me maybe, making the pros. It is something I really want to do now so she is the extra push."

But Parker realizes the dream of playing in the NFL is still in the distant future, and he must take care of business in the present, including Dominique.

And not only does Dominique motivate Parker to work for a better future, but when he gets overwhelmed, he can always turn to his baby girl for comfort.

An example of the support Dominique provides Parker was after last week's 24-0 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats, he said.

He finished with respectable numbers, 78 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving. But he had only one yard on 10 carries in the last three quarters. Dominique didn't care if her daddy had one yard in the entire game, he said.

"Last Saturday, I came home and picked her up, and I just felt a lot better," Parker said. "She is always smiling and laughing and makes my world a lot better.

"She doesn't worry about all the football. All she knows is I'm her daddy and she loves me for whatever, bad game or good game. It doesn't matter to her."

Parker said he can usually handle all of the ups and downs of his and the team's performance on the field. But when his extra-curricular activities get overbearing, Dominique is once again uplifting to her dad.

"It's real tough. You have class, sports, team meetings, treatment, all of that," Parker said. "It's hard when you come home tired, and she is crying, and I have to put a bottle in her mouth. But my daughter always comes first, and I still love her."

One person who has witnessed Parker's devotion for Dominique is OU head football coach John Blake. Blake has always said Parker is a special runner, but he said Parker is also a special father.

"He likes her, and he is proud of her. I don't blame him," Blake said. "I just think he just has a love for his daughter, and that is something you can't take away, and I commend him for that because that is his baby.

"And if it does motivate him, I think it is good. And if it does then he needs to get two or three more kids."

Parker said he is ready for the offensive unit to start scoring some touchdowns, field goals, anything to help the Sooners get a victory today against Syracuse.

But don't blame Parker if he is somewhat greedy about who he wants to score the touchdowns for -- He wants to make Dominique proud.

"I always try to score a touchdown so I can say, 'Hi Dominique' on TV," Parker said. "But I haven't been able to do that yet, but I want a shot on TV so I can do that."

Parker will get his chance to say hello to Dominique on TV today starting at 2:30 p.m. when the Sooners face the 1-1 Syracuse Orangemen.

Syracuse defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 34-0 in the Kickoff Classic Aug. 24, but lost at home last Saturday in overtime to North Carolina State 32-31.

And Parker anticipates the coaching staff will give him the ball throughout the entire game to exploit the conditioning of the Orangemen's front line.

The Tulsa Washington product, who is suffering from a slight hamstring problem, hopes the fortunes of the offense turn for the better against a quick Syracuse defense after getting shut out against Northwestern.

"Hopefully we can score some points," Parker said. "I'm just looking for some touchdowns, score some points for the team. I don't care how we score even if it is nine field goals. I just want to score and win."

So does Dominique.