The Oklahoma Sooners have one of the most storied histories in college football. They’ve been one of the most successful teams in the sport with seven national championships, 50 conference championships, and seven Heisman trophy winners.
Their interlocking “OU” is one of the more iconic logos in college football as well, but it hasn’t always been adorned on the side of Oklahoma’s helmets. The first iteration of the interlocking logo showed up in 1966. However, the style that we’ve all known made its debut in the 1967 season.
Though here have been slight alterations, the crimson helmet with the interlocking “OU” has been the primary look for the Oklahoma Sooners for nearly 60 years.
During the Bob Stoops era, Oklahoma began toying around with alternate uniforms and throwbacks with varying degrees of success.
In the 2003 season opener, the Sooners wore a white throwback helmet, a look from the early 1960s, against UNT and won 37-3 to start the season. The only other time Oklahoma used that throwback helmet was in a 2009 road game against Texas Tech. That matchup didn’t fair so well for the Sooners who were blown out in Lubbock 41-13. We haven’t seen the throwback helmet since.
Instead, the Sooners have taken the white helmet look and added the interlocking “OU” to the throwback helmet. That debuted in 2014 along with a metallic crimson and cream look.
The white helmet with crimson stripe is what the Sooners were wearing on that magical night in Waco where Jalen Hurts led them back from a 28-3 second-quarter deficit to beat the Bears and stay in playoff contention.
The Oklahoma Sooners have had some fantastic looks over the years, but nothing beats the traditional crimson helmet with the interlocking “OU.” It’s a look as identifiable as college football itself and will stand the test of time.
Let’s take a look at Oklahoma helmets over the years.