Spring Break
Chaplain quits amidst affair
Ousley resigns amid scandal
Christopher Smith
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Sports
Samford football chaplain Rick Ousley is stepping down from his position after admitting to an extramarital affair.
Ousley, 55, a nationally recognized evangelist that founded and recently retired from The Church at Brook Hills and founded Quixotic Ministries, released a statement on March 22.
"In the fall of 2005, I committed a moral and spiritual indiscretion with a woman not my wife. That woman has decided to make this public. I have acknowledged my sin to God, my wife, my family and to my ministry team. We are all now attempting to deal with this as God leads. I ask for your prayers during this difficult time."
Ousley's attorney Gordon Pate told the "Birmingham News" that all his speaking engagements have been cancelled for the next three months, after which time he will re-consider his position. The Crimson's efforts to contact Pate and Ousley failed.
The woman, Donna Jones of Katy, Texas, said his indiscretions span far beyond 2005. She babysat for the Ousleys when she was 15.
"I looked up to him and thought he was as good as Billy Graham was. I was actually saved when he came and did a revival at my church," Jones said.
Three years later, she began a sexual relationship with Ousley in Houston when she was 18, and he was 29, after he divorced his first wife. The relationship continued through December 2006.
Since the news broke, several women have expressed similar stories. Jones said two women called her house and told her about their own sexual relationships with Ousley. They told Jones that she was brave for speaking up and that they had been called liars. She hopes their stories will be validated now that she has spoken up.
"Rick's comment in his statement was 'that woman.' He didn't name me, a reporter did. That kind of left it open when he said 'that woman,' because it was 'which woman.' There were so many. He stuck his Reebok tennis shoes that everybody teases that he preached in right in his mouth when he said that."
Ousley, 55, a nationally recognized evangelist that founded and recently retired from The Church at Brook Hills and founded Quixotic Ministries, released a statement on March 22.
"In the fall of 2005, I committed a moral and spiritual indiscretion with a woman not my wife. That woman has decided to make this public. I have acknowledged my sin to God, my wife, my family and to my ministry team. We are all now attempting to deal with this as God leads. I ask for your prayers during this difficult time."
Ousley's attorney Gordon Pate told the "Birmingham News" that all his speaking engagements have been cancelled for the next three months, after which time he will re-consider his position. The Crimson's efforts to contact Pate and Ousley failed.
The woman, Donna Jones of Katy, Texas, said his indiscretions span far beyond 2005. She babysat for the Ousleys when she was 15.
"I looked up to him and thought he was as good as Billy Graham was. I was actually saved when he came and did a revival at my church," Jones said.
Three years later, she began a sexual relationship with Ousley in Houston when she was 18, and he was 29, after he divorced his first wife. The relationship continued through December 2006.
Since the news broke, several women have expressed similar stories. Jones said two women called her house and told her about their own sexual relationships with Ousley. They told Jones that she was brave for speaking up and that they had been called liars. She hopes their stories will be validated now that she has spoken up.
"Rick's comment in his statement was 'that woman.' He didn't name me, a reporter did. That kind of left it open when he said 'that woman,' because it was 'which woman.' There were so many. He stuck his Reebok tennis shoes that everybody teases that he preached in right in his mouth when he said that."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 9
Interested Party
posted 4/05/07 @ 11:10 AM CST
this story is tragic. it is tragic, first of all, simply because it occurred and so many people are hurt. and secondly, it is tragic because it captivates us. (Continued…)
Full Court
Full Court
posted 4/05/07 @ 12:10 PM CST
http://thefullcourt.blogspot.com/2007/04/very-strange-happenings-in-rick-ousley.html
Please know that I hesitate to post any further on this painful matter. (Continued…)
Donna Jones
posted 4/07/07 @ 2:26 AM CST
Waiting to see the comments. I also think that Christopher Smith did a GREAT job in telling a very sad but true story that needed to come out.
Patrick Anderson
posted 4/15/07 @ 9:49 PM CST
Pray for this man. he's a good guy. he guided me in my faith and he's still a good role model. as humans, we all screw up. i forgive him.
Katherine Porter
posted 5/02/07 @ 2:57 AM CST
I am shocked that Samford University has not demanded that Samford's name be removed from Rick Ousley's web site!
http://209.61.148.168/templates/System/details. (Continued…)
Mark A. Smit
posted 10/30/07 @ 9:03 AM CST
Here's the deal guys plain and simple.
He admitted to an affair.
He has confessed to his wife and to God and to the public.
It doesn't matter what the details are. (Continued…)
Post a Comment