Man arrested after allegedly beating his son for liking Oklahoma better than Oklahoma State
The annual Bedlam rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State has been known to ignite strong feelings, but one parent took the rivalry a little too far.
Gannon Mendez, 41, is accused of allegedly abusing his 9-year-old son after his son told a classmate that he liked Oklahoma better than Oklahoma State. The family lives in Perkins, Okla., which is near the Oklahoma State campus in Stillwater, and Mendez is a big Oklahoma State fan.
According to the report, Mendez allegedly beat the boy with a wooden paddle and stuffed soap shavings into his mouth. The boy's stepsister said in an affidavit that Mendez would take the boy to a local football field to run until he vomited and that the father also woke the boy up every half hour throughout the night to do push-ups and jumping exercises.
Mendez’s relationship with Oklahoma State athletics is well known after he made national headlines for allegedly providing money and other benefits to Cowboys football players, including former receiver Justin Blackmon. According to a 2011 story by FoxSports.com, Mendez refused to speak with Oklahoma State compliance officials and very little came from the matter.
The 9-year-old boy was taken to the Payne County Youth Shelter and Mendez was due in court Tuesday.
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