Local news
Sooner great Jack Mildren loses battle with cancer
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
-
-
Two pursuits, two arrests for Norman police
Police arrested two people after separate vehicle pursuits Tuesday morning in Norman.
-
City makes push to get names on memorial by Fourth of July
Organizers of the Cleveland County Veterans Memorial at Reaves Park have started a push to get more names — and especially those of
-
Fire heavily damages home
A Norman family watched from the street as firefighters tried to save their home from a devastating fire Tuesday afternoon on Alderbrook Court.
-
Norman teacher helps give night of ‘Once upon a time’
Debbie Kenney is a modern-day Cinderella’s fairy godmother, transforming — now past midnight — high schoolers into prom queens.
-
Commissioners take no action on rural water line
Cleveland County Commissioners took no action Monday on a permit for a utility line installation for the Cleveland County Rural Water District 1, rural potable water system.
-
Officers converge at OU for bike patrol training
Officers from 10 police departments in the state and one from Kansas gathered at the University of Oklahoma Police Department this week to improve their bicycle patrol skills.
-
CART pitches free admission to OU baseball game Saturday
Cleveland Area Rapid Transit is swinging for the fences for its Bus to the Ballpark series, which begins Saturday with free baseball tickets for bus riders.
-
Felony charges filed
The following felonies were filed in Cleveland County District Court: · Charles Don Smith, 51, Oklahoma City, possession of
-
Water use
Water usage for the City of Norman for Monday, March 15, was 8.8 million gallons. Conservation tip: Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water.
-
OU to pay for landscaping on Lindsey Street project
The University of Oklahoma will take care of the landscaping element of the Lindsey Street widening project, a move consistent with the university’s commitment to sprucing up its grounds.
- More Local news Headlines
-
