University of Oklahoma - Tales from the Oklahoma Sooners sideline: a collection of the greatest Sooners stories ever told

TALES FROM THE

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

SIDELINE

TALES FROM THE

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

SIDELINE

A COLLECTION OF THE GREATEST

SOONERS STORIES EVER TOLD

JAY C. UPCHURCH

FOREWORD BY BARRY SWITZER

Copyright 2003, 2007, 2011 by Jay C. Upchurch

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-61321-037-6

Printed in the United States of America

To Virgil and Jo Ellen, the most amazing parents a boy

could ever ask for. Thanks for the love, guidance, and

understandingand most of all for the freedom that allowed

me to choose my own path. To my brother, Gary

thank you for sharing the experience.

And to my son, Jacob Colewelcome to the game

of life. Live it passionately and with goodness in your heart.

Contents

From the birth of football in Norman to the arrival of the 1940s, there are tales of triumph, defeat, bedlam, All-Americans, stickers, spirit, titles, strays, lists, steers, and brawls.

The decade that changed OU football forever, as Charles Bud Wilkinson arrives on campus to help chase away any signs of lingering mediocrity. Theres Jim Tatum, George L Cross, the Sisco incident, West Point action, eligible seamen, masterful lessons, mounds of fun, and General Jack.

The Monster is born. On the verge of greatness during Bud Wilkinsons early years, the Sooners emerge on the national scene as one of the elite programs in the country. See this brave new world, the Great White Father, a kid named Vessels, the statement, national titles, the streak, the perfect quarterback, team unity, and tough love.

The end of a great era and the beginning of a new dawn. Experience both through the 58 Special, a visit from jack, the end of the road, Sooner dreams, the Wicked Worm, a problem child, remembering the land run, the fourth-quarter class, Granny, and a true All-American.

The wishbone comes to town and national titles come with it. Live it up with popsicles and Gatorade, the departure of Little Red, the Game of the Century, the Selmon brothers, rolling over, Sooner Magic, good company, and a different kind of rug.

Barry Switzer helps bring home another title and then makes his exit. The post-disco era includes a man among boys, illegal procedure and the ponies, Big Marcus, hot water cornbread, answered prayers, a higher power, a kid named Boz, bad timing, and more Sooner Magic.

A tough decade begins. Still, there is sweet redemption, a crooner for the Sooners, the great crash, the walk, Cecil, a nice finish, the softer side, the turning point, and the runt.

Foreword

THERE IS A MAGIC about the University of Oklahoma football program that transcends time as it captures and holds the hearts of generation after generation of Sooner fans. It is a phenomenon made up of a million different stories that span more than a century of great teams, great players, and great moments.

The history is deep and rich, and the tradition is unmatched. Oklahoma football is one of the great enduring icons in collegiate athletics. From coast to coast and border to border, the Sooners have long represented a level of success that most schools can only imagine.

Many of the legendary and not-so-legendary characters whose faith, commitment, and determination helped shape OUs illustrious reputation come to life in this book through a series of colorful tales that recount humorous events, celebration and heartfelt emotion, as well as more weighty times. Their human side shines through in a way that is rarely shared beyond the inner circles of the Sooner family.

From humble beginnings and Bennie Owen providing the initial foundation to the birth of greatness with Bud Wilkinson to the programs recent resurgence under Bob Stoops, Oklahoma football has long been a benchmark for young men who strive for greatness, not only as individuals, but as a contributing piece of the overall puzzle.

There is a genuine sense of pride and camaraderie that is inherent among those who have worn the crimson and cream. To be a part of something so special is what every competitor, every coach dreams about.

My association with the Sooners and Oklahoma football has enriched my life and made for so many great memories.

To know Sooner football is to love it. In all of my experiences, there is nothing else quite like it.

Enjoy!

BARRY SWITZER

Acknowledgments

THERE ARE ENOUGH STORIESsome new, some very familiar and some never before toldto write a series of books entitled Tales from the Sooner Sideline. The heroes and characters through the years are abundant; the emotions and drama, quite infamous. Finding just the right blend was the biggest challenge I faced in putting together this particular volume of tales.

The research involved was much more taxing and enlightening than I ever imagined. As much as I might have thought myself an expert on OU football history before this project, I have since come to realize and appreciate so very many chapters that did not previously exist for me. And there are many more waiting to be explored and told.

In my pursuit to write this book, I interviewed dozens of former (and current) players and coaches and many witnesses to the stories that unfold within these pages. I read books and studied articles and talked with other authors about their experiences in following the Sooners.

It was and is an amazing journey.

Finding a place to begin all of the thank-yous and acknowledgments I owe is difficult in itself, because so many people gave generously of their time to help piece all of this together. I suppose starting with the men whom this book is all about is as good a place as any. So here goes and please forgive me if anyone falls through the cracks.

Special thanks to the following OU players and coaches: Barth Walker, Gene Corrotto, Port Robertson, Frank Pop Ivy, Stan West, Norman McNabb, Bob Bodenhamer, Prentice Gautt, Clendon Thomas, Billy Vessels, Leon Mule Train Heath, Jimmy Harris, Merle Dinkins, Jerry Cross, Jakie Sandefer, Jerry Pettibone, Karl Milstead, Darrell Royal, Brewster Hobby, Bob Harris, Ronnie Fletcher, Steve Owens, Bobby Warmack, Steve Zabel, Mike Harper, J. D. Martin, Don Jimerson, Tinker Owens, Barry Switzer, Bobby Proctor, Keith Jackson, Merv Johnson, Greg Pruitt, Larry Lacewell, Uwe von Schamann, George Cumby, Jamelle Holieway, Brian Bosworth, Mike Vaughn, Billy Brooks, Sherwood Taylor, Sonny Brown, Paul Migliazzo, Gene Hochevar, Steve Davis, Scott Hill, Tim Lashar, Earl Johnson, Thomas Lott, Mike Gaddis, Cale Gundy, Spencer Tillman, James Allen, Bob Stoops, Torrance Marshall, Trent Smith, Roy Williams, Nate Hybl, Damian Mackey, Josh Norman, Quentin Griffin and Josh Heupel.