Tag: Toby Keith

Oklahoma honors late Toby Keith with sing-along

Oklahoma Sooners fans honored the late Toby Keith

College football is known for traditions tied to music. Think Wisconsin. Think Florida. Now, Oklahoma has joined.

The Sooners crushed Temple on Friday night. Between the third and fourth quarters the fans at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium honored singer Toby Keith, who died earlier this year. Keith was a huge fan of the Sooners.

The fans were in full throat, singing “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”

And a tradition was born.

Best photos from Oklahoma’s upset win over No. 19 BYU Cougars

The Oklahoma Sooners got back on track with an upset win over the BYU Cougars, paying tribute to Toby Keith in their big win.

The Oklahoma Sooners got back to their winning ways with a huge win over the BYU Cougars on Tuesday night at the Lloyd Noble Center.

On an emotional day for Sooner Nation, Oklahoma paid tribute to long-time supporter Toby Keith by placing his guitar and crimson hat in his typical seat along the sideline. Keith had been a mainstay at Oklahoma events over the last several decades, and his support of the program left a legacy that helped encourage coaches and athletes across the program.

Porter Moser mentioned in his postgame presser that the team played for Keith in last night’s win over BYU. In the win, the Sooners defense held the top 20-ranked Cougars to fewer than 70 points for just the fourth time this season.

Javian McCollum had a big game with 20 points, and Milos Uzan had 16, showing more aggressiveness going to the basket. Uzan actually led the team in field goal attempts in the win, going 6 of 12, and added five rebounds and four assists in a team-high 33 minutes.

The Sooners have made a strong case to earn a bid in the NCAA, but the road ahead will help them cement their resume or put them on questionable footing.

After Bedlam on Saturday, they’ll face top 15 teams in four of following five games. Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, and Houston give the Sooners an opportunity to solidify their standing heading into March Madness. There are eight games left in the season and 20 wins are well within reach. Especially if they put together defensive performances like they did Tuesday night against BYU.

Here are some of the best photos from the win over the Cougars.

Sooner Nation pays respects, mourns the loss of Toby Keith

In the wake of the passing of Toby Keith, Oklahoma Sooners fans and players pay their respects to the Country Music and OU Icon.

The world lost an icon Monday night with the passing of country music star and Oklahoma Sooners super fan Toby Keith.

Keith, who’d been battling stomach cancer, passed away at the age of 62. His departure leaves a significant hole in the OU community as Keith was a proud supporter of all things Oklahoma Athletics.

A statement posted early Tuesday on Keith’s social media read, “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

From his presence on the sidelines at OU Football games to partying with OU Softball after they won their third-straight national title, Toby Keith was a fixture in the OU community decades and made an impact that will leave a legacy in Oklahoma.

This loss will be felt by everyone involved with the Oklahoma Sooners. Administrators, coaches, players, and fans were all impacted by the life and presence of Toby Keith. Social media was flooded by members of the OU community paying their respects to the country music icon.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends and pray for comfort and peace during this time.

Country musician and avid golfer Toby Keith has died at 62

Keith had spent numerous occasions playing in pro-ams and spending time with the best golfers in the world.

Singer-songwriter and avid sports fan Toby Keith has died. He was 62.

Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, died “peacefully” on Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2021.

Keith revealed his diagnosis in a June 2022 Instagram post, noting he “spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery.”

His breakout music career included his overt patriotism on post-9/11 songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” and boisterous barroom tunes like “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.” He had a powerful booming voice, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and range that carried love songs as well as drinking songs.

Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “My List” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.

In addition to his talent with a guitar and microphone, Keith was an avid sports fan and golfer. He and legendary coach Barry Switzer own the private Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, near Keith’s home.

During his career, Keith had spent numerous occasions playing in pro-ams and spending time with the best golfers in the world. He also hosted an annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic to raise money for local charities, oftentimes raising more than $1 million per event.

He hosted the Schooner Fall Classic at Belmar every September, a women’s Division I college golf tournament. The trophy? A signed guitar.

Then there’s Keith’s 2017 song, “S—-y Golfer,” which if you haven’t listened to it, take a couple minutes to do so as it encapsulates golf in a funny and comedic way.

Here’s a look at photos of Keith throughout the years in the golf world.

Celebrity Sooners: Oklahoma’s most famous fans and alumni

We see some of them striding the sideline while others work behind the scenes. Here are some of the most famous alumni and fans of the Oklahoma Sooners.

A university with a long and distinguished history as the University of Oklahoma is bound to have a distinguished group of alumni and fans. We’re not simply talking about athletes, because the Oklahoma Sooners have some of the most recognizable athletes going in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Trae Young.

But outside the lines, the Sooners are well represented by alumni and fans as well. There are actors, CEOs of major corporations, owners of professional sports teams, pro wrestlers, musicians, a Miss America, and an astronaut.

We took the liberty to compile some of the most famous personalities with connections to the University of Oklahoma. We mostly stayed away from sports figures, but several former Sooners have become famous for something other than the sport they played at the university, so they’re worth mentioning.