From Sports to Law: Jason Kersey’s Journey to Success
Many Sooner fans know the name Jason Kersey.
For the better part of 10 years, Kersey covered Oklahoma football for The Oklahoman and more recently with The Athletic. The Noble, Oklahoma, native wrote about Heisman winners, College Football Playoff appearances, as well as OU’s intention to join the SEC.
“Nothing beats the intoxicating feeling you get walking up to a college football stadium through the crowd,” Kersey recalled. “It’s this mix of thrilling and intimidating to know that the words you write will be read by so many people.”
Following the 2021 football season, Kersey – who had racked up accolades like being named the 2016 Football Writers Association of America National Beat Writer of the Year – left the sports journalism field to pursue a new passion that had developed during his journalistic career: law school. Kersey was admitted to the OU College of Law, and by the summer of 2022, he had thrust himself into the world of contract law. His new path had begun.
“I certainly never had experienced anything quite like a law school class,” Kersey said. “I’m so glad I started early because it gave me such a solid grasp on what the first year of law school was going to be like, and made the whole thing seem a lot less scary.”
Kersey’s first class with Professor Megan Shaner instilled confidence in the young law student on his new endeavor. This was on top of Kersey’s unique familiarity with law in general. At times, Kersey’s former job would often intersect with legal procedures – professional athletes’ contracts, criminal punishments or open record disputes.
Still, law school is not easy. Preparation is essential, particularly when being “cold-called” during a class is always a possibility. The regimen of a legal education is supposed to be intimidating to a degree, but that intimidation exists to encourage students to live their lives prepared. This is something Kersey has already learned during his time, and it has led to a fulfilling academic experience.
“It really is a strong incentive to be prepared each day, and being prepared each day is what ultimately allows you to build out the material in a way that makes sense to you before the final exams,” he said.
“I can honestly say that I’ve never, in my life, enjoyed school this much.”
Following his first year of law school, Kersey landed a summer intern position as a clerk with McAfee & Taft, an Oklahoma City-based law firm and the largest in the state. This opportunity has given the former sportswriter the chance to network, as well as find his future within the profession.
“Law provides such an incredible variety of paths, and paths within those paths, that I’m still trying to get a firm grip on. My summer job at McAfee & Taft has given me the opportunity to work on so many kinds of projects, that I think I’m beginning that narrowing process.”
Before his internship and OU Law, Kersey’s status as a well-known former sportswriter did not save him from his own personal worries. As a non-traditional student, one of Kersey’s insecurities was beginning law school at age 35. His fears were quickly squashed once he immersed himself in the program and met classmates whom he now understands are with him in this program together.
This did not stop one classmate, who Kersey chose to keep anonymous, from asking him if The Eagles’ 1977-hit Hotel California, “was a ‘90s song.”
“I’ve met so many incredible people who I’m sure will be lifelong friends,” Kersey said. “They come from a cool variety of backgrounds and places. My life has been enriched by all the friendships I’ve made so far.”
The man fellow OU Law students refer to as “Slayson” has thrived in his new circle of peers. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the thought of entering law school, Kersey has prospered into a great student and collaborator. He made the Dean’s List during his 1L fall and spring semester, as well as reaching the Sweet Sixteen in the annual 1L Moot Court Competition.
Kersey’s OU journey began when he entered the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2009. He earned his first job during his sophomore year at The Oklahoman. He worked my way up from part-time clerk to page designer to high school sportswriter to OU beat writer.
He never left the world of the University of Oklahoma following his undergrad days as he rose through the ranks of sports writing. Now, as he prepares to start his second year at OU Law, he hopes to one day lead a legal career that is as successful as his past endeavors.
“I feel so fortunate to be at OU Law. It has provided such a welcoming environment, and that really trickles down from the administration, through to the admissions office, the professors and the students. That attitude rubs off on everyone.
“I think those experiences will linger in the background of everything I do (with my) new career.”
By Brady Trantham
