As a member of the Oklahoma football team, Darrol Ray used to try his best to knock opposing players out. Now as a restaurateur in Norman, he still wants to knock out the competition, but this time using home-cooked barbecue instead of a helmet and shoulder pads.

However one thing has not changed -- the competitive drive that allowed him to thrive at OU and in the NFL came with him when he opened up Ray's Smokehouse BBQ, 1514 W. Lindsey Street.

"One thing they don't teach you at OU is to quit," Ray said. "And we are not going to quit until we are on top of the pile. Serve notice to some of the other guys that are out there doing a good job as well that we are going to try and be the best barbecue place in Norman and we are not going to stop until we get there."

Ray, who played at OU from 1976 to 1979 and with the New York Jets for five years, opened the doors to Ray's three weeks ago. But he has been in the business of providing food and drinks since he left football behind him.