O'Neal represented by father

By JOSH MOSLEY
For the Associated Press

COLUMBIA, MO (AP) — The father of former Missouri linebacker Aaron O’Neal, who died in a 2005 summer workout, represented his son during a senior day ceremony before the school’s home finale against Kansas State Saturday night.

Lonnie O’Neal wore his son’s No. 25 jersey under a leather jacket as he walked onto Faurot Field between two lines of his son’s former teammates. He then shared a brief handshake with athletic director Mike Alden before exiting the stadium with the rest of his family.

O’Neal was one of 23 senior players honored in a short, businesslike ceremony before the team’s game against Kansas State. Despite never having played a down for the team, O’Neal has been kept on the active roster since the time of his death. A senior member of the team also has worn his number 25 the last eight games to honor him.

The O’Neal family is still in the midst of a wrongful death suit against the university.

The ceremony was a stark contrast to last year’s Senior Day when coach Gary Pinkel was noticeably emotional. On Saturday, he greeted each of his departing players with a hug, though appeared composed. Players walked out on the field and joined their families at the 40-yard line.

The senior players, including quarterback Chase Daniel, tight end Chase Coffman and safety William Moore, had won 34 games — most of any senior class in school history. The class was much of the reason Missouri spent one week at No. 1 in the polls in 2007 and rose as high as No. 3 this season.