By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
Former Oklahoma lieutenant governor and University of Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren died Thursday after a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 58.
Mildren was the Sooners’ first wishbone quarterback and widely considered the program’s best throughout the 1970s and ’80s.
Two years ago, Mildren was diagnosed with stomach cancer and had been receiving treatments at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The Abilene, Texas, native was OU’s starting quarterback from 1969-71. The offense was installed early in Mildren’s junior season in 1970 and took flight soon afterwards.
During Mildren’s senior season in 1971, the Sooners posted an 11-1 record, with the wishbone offense averaging a remarkable 472.4 yards rushing per game.
Mildren also set school records at the time for most rushing yards in a season (1,140 in 1971), most career touchdown passes (25), and season passing efficiency (209.0; 1971).
He was named All-American quarterback and Academic All-American his senior season. He also was named the 1972 Sugar Bowl MVP after the Sooners’ 40-22 victory over Auburn.
Mildren played in the NFL for three seasons with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots before launching a successful career in politics and business.
In 1990, Mildren became the 22nd lieutenant governor of Oklahoma and held the post until 1995. In 1996, he ran for governor as a Democrat, but lost to Republican Frank Keating.
Mildren served as vice chairman for the Arvest Bank Group and co-hosted an afternoon sports-talk show on WKY in Oklahoma City.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
Local news
Sooner great Jack Mildren loses battle with cancer
- Local news
-
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
Nancy Coggins landed a job with a prestigious Oklahoma City advertising agency before the ink dried on her OU journalism diploma. The job was a first rung on her career ladder and she admits that it didn’t call for her creative talents. ...
-
New jail to install curtains
The F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, though still in its infancy, is getting a facelift: new curtains....
-
Businesses go the extra mile for Valentine’s Day
Among the various images the phrase “Valentine’s Day” might conjure in one’s mind, probably the most immediate is the iconic dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates....
-
New rehabilitation, skilled care center will be next to HealthPlex
StoneGate Senior Living President and CEO John F. Taylor announced Friday that his company has completed the purchase of approximately 6.7 acres of land in the Norman Regional Health System’s Medical Park West project at NW 36th Avenueand ...
-
Mystery performance provides theatrical fatal attraction
James Briggs has a pretty steady day job with the city parks department, doesn’t live anywhere near Little River and probably never owned or slept in a hatchback. He doesn’t usually wear sport coats that are two sizes too small, either ...
-
'Get the Lead Out' annual children's art festival enters 10th year
Longfellow Middle School had a special “GLO” about it Saturday morning....
-
County prisoners moved to new jail
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies began moving prisoners from the detention center adjacent to the courthouse to the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center at Franklin Road and U.S. 77 early Saturday morning....
-
School board elections Tuesday
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in four Cleveland County school districts. Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said this will be the first election using the new voting system. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ...
-
Identity theft crackdown sweeps nation
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department recently announced a national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft....
-
Darry Stacy seeking county commission seat
Darry Stacy, a fifth generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Cleveland County, announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the District 2 Cleveland County commissioner seat....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
