The Oklahoma football community grieves the departure of iconic country music sensation Toby Keith on Tuesday, as the 62-year-old succumbed to stomach cancer following a prolonged struggle.
The official Twitter account of the Oklahoma Sooners shared a poignant tribute to Keith, expressing gratitude for his steadfast backing of the university.
Keith, a recipient of numerous country music accolades, peacefully passed away in his sleep in Oklahoma. Hailing from Moore, Oklahoma, Keith developed a profound affinity for the Oklahoma Sooners. A beloved figure in American culture, Keith leaves behind his wife Tricia and their three children.
The OU Athletics family is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Toby Keith. It's a profoundly sad reality to exist in a world where Toby doesn't. He brought life and joy to every room he entered, and our hearts are dimmer today without him. An American icon and a… pic.twitter.com/NAcSDKgyFa
— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) February 6, 2024
Toby Keith The All-Time Country Artist
An esteemed figure in American country music, Keith rose to prominence in the 1990s, unveiling five studio albums, all of which achieved gold or higher certification. His chart-toppers “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “How Do You Like Me Now?!” emerged as standout hits of the era, solidifying his status as a prominent artist. Subsequent albums continued his streak of success, yielding additional number-one singles.
In 2005, Keith ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing the label Show Dog Nashville, under which he released ten albums. Over the course of his illustrious career, he delivered a total of 19 studio albums and saw 61 singles grace the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Notable among his achievements are the record-breaking singles “Beer for My Horses,” featuring Willie Nelson, and “As Good as I Once Was,” each reigning at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for six weeks.
Expanding his repertoire, Keith made his foray into acting in 2006, starring in the drama film “Broken Bridges,” alongside Lindsey Haun, Burt Reynolds, and Kelly Preston.
Toby Keith Massive Supporter of Oklahoma Football
Originally hailing from Moore, Oklahoma, Toby Keith developed a strong allegiance to the Oklahoma Sooners. Former head coach of the Oklahoma football team, Bob Stoops, reminisced about how Toby Keith’s hit song “How Do You Like Me Now?!” encapsulated the spirit of the Sooners during their victorious 2000 championship campaign. The Ref, a prominent Oklahoma Twitter account, shared Stoops’ reflections on the impact of the song during the team’s celebration after clinching the national title.
Stoops recalled, “That song was gaining popularity when I joined OU in ’99, and by 2000, we were crowned National Champions. I had a group of players who were underestimated when I first arrived, and there we were, celebrating our championship with Toby singing ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ echoing through the stadium.”
Keith further demonstrated his support for the Sooners by appearing as a guest predictor on College Gameday ahead of the Red River Rivalry clash between Oklahoma and the Texas Longhorns around 2018.
During his appearance on ESPN’s flagship college football program, Keith humorously remarked, “This is the only time my son and I don’t see eye-to-eye. You already know who I’m rooting for – the Sooners, baby.”
Unfortunately, despite a strong performance from Oklahoma, with quarterback Kyler Murray amassing 396 yards and five touchdowns, and wide receivers Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb combining for three touchdowns, the team succumbed to a 48-45 defeat against the Longhorns. The Sooners found themselves unable to contain Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s offensive prowess.
