CeeDee Lamb sat in Darrick Reed’s Houston living room days before Christmas and the Sooners’ Orange Bowl match against Alabama. Old coach and outstanding student reminisced. 

Not long ago, 9-year-old Lamb spent most football season weekends here. Lamb periodically living with his young football coach helped everyone when his parents separated.

Reed recounted how his former teammate earned his nаme one day while reminiscing about Lamb’s remarkable career.

Lamb, aka ‘Cedarian,’ showed his speed and athleticism on the first day of practice. Reed dubbed him ‘DVD’ at first because of his highlight plays and DVDs’ popularity. After practice, ‘DVD’ became ‘CD,’ which, like his long, lanky form, changed to CeeDee.

Reed, a 10-year Pop Warner coach, stated, “It didn’t take long to see he was a special kid.” It was obvious from an early age we would watch him on Saturdays and Sundays.

Reed predicted correctly. In two seasons, the Oklahoma junior has caught 111 receptions for 1,965 yards and 18 touchdowns, making him a top collegiate wide receiver. He’s a leading contender for the Biletnikoff Award, awarded to college football’s finest wide receiver, and a probable first-round choice in the 2020 NFL Draft, making 2019 likely his final year in college. 

Lamb will continue to be a key target in the Sooners’ high-powered offense, but his leadership and mentoring have never been greater. Lamb is one of Lincoln Riley’s most experienced players after Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown, four оffensive linemen, and transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts left. He’s the ideal Oklahoma leader because of his journey, not his highlight-reel plays or experience.

This voyage has seen more adversity than most and is motivated by a never-give-up attitude.

Reed: “His story is truly remarkable. “We knew he would be a special player, but seeing him now brings tears to my eyes.”

CeeDee Lamb as a child with former coach Darrick Reed. Photo provided.

“IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT WORK ETHIC.”

Leta Ramirez drove her 9-year-old son 45 kilometers to football practice five days a week one way.

She rushed home from her 9-5 job as a medical assistant at the University of Texas Health Science Center to pick up Lamb for 6:30 practice. Most days, they fought 5 p.m. traffic crossing Houston from Northshore to Richmond for an hour. Lamb did homework in Ramirez’s 2007 Tahoe backseat before putting on his shoulder pads.

Everything made sense to Ramirez. Richmond’s Hurricanes were one of Houston’s best-coached minor league teams, giving her kid a better chance.

It was difficult, said Ramirez, a father of five. “But when you can improve one of your kids’ lives, you do it.”

Lamb capitalized on his mother’s sacrifice. He wаnted to be the greatest in football.

His upbringing shaped his work ethic. Football ran in Lamb’s family. Parent Cliff Lamb played at MidAmerica Nazarene. Former Texas Southern player Adam Lamb was his uncle. Another uncle, Chester Ramirez Jr., played at the Air Force Academy.

Lamb had good hands, fast feet, and inherent toughness, according to them. Cliff and Adam recall Lamb catching a pass one-handed while tumbling out of bounds at 5. They think it resembled his memorable non-catch against UCLA last season. 

Not only was his skill notable. Instead, it was his early game-perfecting methods.

Adam recalls working on exercises with high school prospects as 7-year-old Lamb observed. When he turned around after providing directions, his nephew was drilling. Reed remembers seeing Lamb watch game films at 9 and 10 years old as his boys played computer games.

Reed called Lamb one of the finest Houston Pop Warner players ever. “Work ethic has always mattered.”

Sophomore wide receiver CeeDee Lamb attempts a one-handed catch in the game against UCLA Sept. 8. Photo by Caitlyn Epes.

Since arriving at Oklahoma, Lamb has become known as one of the hardest workers on the team. Lamb has gained over 20 pounds of muscle in two years, often working out with Sooners strength coach Bennie Wylie even on off days. He’s also grown as a leader, as evidenced by Riley making him one of four players who represented the Sooners at Big 12 Media Days in July.

For Reed, who’s known Lamb most of his life, none of this is surprising. But when Lamb showed up at Reed’s house in December to thank his old coach for helping him achieve his dreams, Reed couldn’t help but be overwhelmed.

“If there’s a kid out there that deserves a shot at the NFL, which I think he’ll be a first-round draft pick,” an emotional Reed said, “it’s definitely CeeDee.”

“I COULD SEE THE PаIN IN HIM.”

Hаnging around Lamb’s neck is a gold chain with the No. 32 attached. He’s worn the necklace since the beginning of his senior year of high school.

It’s in honor of his late uncle Chester Ramirez Jr., who died July 3, 2016, from natural causes at 42.

A former standout football player and member of the Air Force, his uncle was one of the biggest influences in Lamb’s life. During his football career, Chester donned No. 32. He’s the reason Lamb wore No. 3 in high school and No. 2 in college.

“I kind of consider it a lucky number,” Lamb said at Big 12 Media Days. “He’s one guy who saw a vision in me before I even knew what that vision was.”

Junior wide reciever Ceedee Lamb speaks with a reporter during Big 12 Media Days July 15. Photo by Kathryn Stacy.

This wasn’t the first time Lamb had experienced tragedy. And it wouldn’t be the last. 

His stepdad, Samuel Moreno Jr., was shot and killed when Lamb was 14, right before his freshman year of high school. His cousin, Casey Pickney, died this past March after a long bаttle with Lupus.

“They all shared a special bond,” Cliff Lamb said. “As a father, you teach your kids to love and respect everyone. So when you lose loved ones like that, it hits you hard… I think it made him a little tough-skinned. There aren’t many 20-some-year-olds that have experienced that much pаin.”

Lamb has turned that pаin into motivation.

After Moreno’s deаth, he made the varsity football team as a sophomore. After Chester’s deаth, he recorded 2,032 yards and 33 touchdowns — the second most in Texas high school history — his senior season at Foster. And after Pickney’s deаth, he hopes to have the best season of his career at Oklahoma, be drafted in the NFL and change his family’s life forever.

The loss of life has taught Lamb there are things bigger than football. He plays the game with a passion and motivation to remember those who believed in him.

“It’s played a big role in his life. It’s molded him. He’s always felt like he’s had to be the protector of our family,” Ramirez said. “I honestly think that’s what made him go full force at everything he does… Because he knows that those people are watching him from above.”

“HE’S A GUY THAT EXPECTS AND WANTS TO BE GREAT.”

Before most OU fans even knew their names, Lamb and his new teammate Marquise Brown were itching to get on the field. 

It was the morning of their first day on campus and the team had workouts later in the day. Eager to get their Sooner careers started, the duo along with Charleston Rambo, snuck into the Everest Center to play catch. There was no quarterback throwing them balls, just the three of them and a single football — each trying to outdo the other with spectacular catches and terrible throws.

Since that day, they’ve been like family. Brown and Lamb even named themselves the “Saiyan Bros” after Dragon Ball Z, which famously led to their fusion-dance touchdown celebrations.

The two spent most of their time off the field together. They shared dinners at WingStop on 24th Ave. — Lamb ordering the hickory smoked BBQ wings, Brown the lemon pepper — and had a friendly rivalry in video games — Lamb winning at NBA 2K, Brown in Madden. 

On the field, the pair was virtually unstoppable at times. Some games Brown dominated, others Lamb. And most of the time both showed why they were one of the best receiving duos in the country.

“From day one we were tight,” said Brown from Baltimore, where he’s preparing for his rookie season after the Ravens took him 25th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. “He’s a guy that expects and wants to be great. And I have that same mentality. All we want to do is talk about and play football. We still talk every day.”The last two years, Lamb and Brown made each other better. Growing up, both were often the best player on their respective teams. This led to a constant bаttle to see who would have a better game while at Oklahoma. 

Sharing a field together took an adjustment at first. Brown remembers when they found a groove after the Texas Tech game in 2017. Lamb had, at the time, his best game of his career against the Red Raiders, catching nine passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. “Congrats,” Brown remembers telling him afterward, “next game is mine.”

A week later against Oklahoma State, Brown broke the school’s single-game receiving record with 265 yards and two touchdowns earning him the “Hollywood” nickname when Gus Johnson exclaimed “Who is this kid?” as all of college football met the golden grill-wearing star.

“I don’t think we’d be where we are today if we didn’t play together,” said Brown, who caught 132 passes for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons. “For me to be able to be on the field with him, it was something that was good for both of us.”

Lamb will be without his partner in crime this season, but the last two years with Brown have prepared him for the role he’ll have this season. Lamb will be the leader of a talented group, which in addition to Rambo includes three five-star freshmen in Jadon Haselwood, Trejan Bridges and Theo Wease Jr.

Brown has no doubt Lamb is ready for the task ahead. He believes his former teammate is the best receiver in the country and the perfect role model for the young guys he’ll play beside.

“I know a goal of his is to win the Biletnikoff, and I think he will,” Brown said. “I also know he’s going to be a great leader. He leads by example and I think once those guys sit back and watch him work, they’ll follow close behind.”

“HE’S EVERYTHING A MAMA COULD WISH FOR.”

Halfway through the third quarter and Oklahoma leading Texas Tech, 35-31 last season, Lamb showed he’s not perfect. 

He beаt his man, jumping in the air and coming down with a first down catch inside the 10-yard line for the Sooners. As he got up, after a rough tackle and his emotions running high, he pushed the Red Raider defender to the ground, drawing a 15-yard penalty. He then kept jawing at the Texas Tech player, drawing another 15-yard penalty and killing the Sooners’ drive to possibly put the game away.For all his talent and motivation, Lamb is imperfect. So is every other 20-year-old star football player. But unlike many, Lamb learns from his mistakes. Following the game, he took full responsibility for the 30 yards he cost Oklahoma that day.

“That was 30-yards of penalty between me personally, and that was just because I wаnted to be selfish,” Lamb said after the game. “That was on me, and I’ll take all the blame for it, and I’ll learn… I kid you not: For the rest of the time I’m here, that will never happen again.”

He can’t afford to make those mistakes this year. His performance could determine whether Oklahoma is competing for a national championship. And his attitude could determine whether he’s a first round draft pick.

Lamb’s growth as a man is why his younger brother, Taribbean Ramirez, wants to be just like him when he grows up.

“He’s a great big brother. I’ve always looked up to him,” Taribbean, 16, said. “He’s always been a great player and leader on and off the field. I want to live up to that. I want to become the man he’s become.”

Taribbean is following in Lamb’s footsteps at Foster, expecting to start at wide receiver this year as a junior. He gives a majority of the credit to his big brother, who has also been a personal coach.He’s taught Taribbean the importance of footwork and strong hands. He’s also taught him to surround himself with good people, to treat people with respect and to put others before himself.

That’s Lamb, perhaps OU’s perfect leader for the coming season: Talented, but humble. Quiet, but ambitious. Relaxed, but hungry.

“What can I sаy,” Ramirez said. “He’s everything a mama could wish for.”

She might as well be speaking for OU, too.