Toby Keith was one of the true legends of country music.
The late singer touched the lives of many of his fellow musicians and fans.
And Toby Keith received one surprising tribute that left his family stunned.
Country music legend Toby Keith passed away in February, after a grueling battle with stomach cancer.
Tributes have rolled in from his fellow country artists and fans since his death.
Keith, an Oklahoma native, was a die-hard fan of the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
Although he never went to college, the Sooners were always near and dear to his heart.
He frequently attended football, basketball, and baseball games at the school.
Keith went to work in the oil industry after high school, while forming a country band to play with when he wasn’t working in the oil fields.
When he was laid off from the oil industry during the bust in the 1980s, he played semi-pro football with the Oklahoma City Drillers as a defensive end, while continuing to play country music.
He moved to Nashville to jump-start his country career and hit it big.
Oklahoma Sooners honor Toby Keith across multiple sports
The university has paid tribute to one of their most famous fans since his passing.
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During the halftime of the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State men’s basketball game in February, Sooner fans sang Keith’s hit “Red Solo Cup,” while holding up red Solo cups to honor the late singer.
Everyone singing Red Solo Cup at the LNC. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0Z4O7wesoJ
— The REF (@KREFsports) February 11, 2024
Keith’s seat was left empty at the game with a red Solo cup and a guitar.
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During the football team’s annual spring football game, the field at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium was painted with his name and likeness.
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Keith’s passion for the Sooners revealed in a bet with Roger Clemens
The “Red Solo Cup” singer was good friends with former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, who played college baseball at the University of Texas, Oklahoma’s archrival.
Clemens’ sons, Kody and Kacy, also played college baseball for Texas, which resulted in Keith making a bet with them.
“Toby told my boys, ‘if you get a home run off of our Oklahoma pitcher today, I’ll sit on your dugout and sing ‘The Eyes of Texas’ with you,’” Clemens recalled.
Sure enough, one of Clemens’ sons hit a home run against Oklahoma and Keith had to make good on his bet.
“And true to form, Toby sat on the dugout,” Clemens said. “And with his funny wit, he sang I’ve Been Working on the Railroad. No chance Toby was going to sing The Eyes of Texas.”
Texas’ fight song, The Eyes of Texas, is set to the tune of I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.
Toby Keith set to receive honorary degree from Oklahoma
Keith is now going to receive a posthumous honorary degree from Oklahoma, along with three other individuals, that will be given to his family at the school’s May graduation ceremony.
“Through their exceptional talents, transformative leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving others, each of this year’s honorary degree recipients has left an indelible mark on the world,” Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz said. “Their profound dedication has touched countless lives, and we take great pride in conferring the university’s highest honor upon them.”
Toby Keith is getting a special tribute from the university that meant so much to him.
Read All About It will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
