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August 19, 2006

Sooners to honor Gautt

John Shinn

• It’s been 50 years since OU’s first black player came to campus



Oklahoma has never been shy about honoring legendary players. The Switzer Center is a shrine to those who helped build the program into one of the best in college football.

However, the Sooners will give one man special recognition this season — Prentice Gautt.

This season, each OU helmet will bear a No. 38 sticker and the jersey number will not be issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Gautt becoming the first black player to wear the Sooner uniform.

Gautt wore the number while playing at OUfrom 1956-59.

“In honoring Prentice Gautt, the university is helping all of us to remember that one person can make a difference in the society in which we live,” OU President David L. Boren said. “Because of his moral courage and the strength of his personal character, Prentice Gautt helped advance racial justice not only in Oklahoma, but across the country. He helped open new doors of opportunity for countless young athletes who have followed in his footsteps. We will be forever proud to have his name linked to the University of Oklahoma.”

Gautt arrived at OU in the fall of 1956 and was already a trailblazer. His senior year at Douglass High School, he was the first black player named to the All-State game and earned MVP honors.

He went on to garner All-Big Eight honors twice and was the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP.

He played in the NFL for seven years with the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Cardinals.

After the NFL, Gautt coached football at Missouri while earning his Ph.D. in psychology.

He then started a career in athletics administration, first as an assistant commissioner for the Big 8 Conference and as a special assistant to the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

“It is only fitting that we would honor Prentice this season,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said.

“Knowing the quality of humility Prentice possessed, he probably would have shied away from the recognition, but it is important that we remind ourselves and other generations of his wonderful contributions.”

In 1999, the athletic department’s academic center was named in Gautt’s honor. In 2003, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from OU.

Gautt died March 17, 2005, from flu-like symptoms. He was posthumously given the 2005 Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame in May 2005.

“Prentice took a very important step in the history of this university and football program, but he didn’t stop there,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He achieved many things in his life and won the respect of everyone he met. It is important for our players and our university to remember people like Prentice and it is right for us to honor him in this way.”

The 2006 campaign also marks the anniversary of OU’s 1956 national championship team.

That team will hold a reunion and join members of Gautt’s family for a special ceremony at the Oct. 21 game against Colorado.

John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com

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