Sooners to Commemorate Gautt

NORMAN, Okla. -- In the fall of 1956, the University of Oklahoma issued jersey No. 38 to a young man from Oklahoma City who shattered stereotypes and set sail on an athletics career marked by achievement, decency and service to thousands of student-athletes.

The player who wore that jersey was Prentice Gautt, the first black football player at OU.

To honor the 50th anniversary of that achievement, jersey No. 38 will not be issued for the 2006 season at Oklahoma. Instead, the Sooner players will wear a No. 38 sticker on the back of their helmets to commemorate one of the university's most popular alumni.

Gautt passed away in March of 2005.

“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,” said OU President David L. Boren. “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.”

OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione said the reminder of Gautt's contributions is important.

“Prentice was such a remarkable human being,” said OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. “His vision, dignity, strength and faith created an aura around him that was unmistakably inspiring. It is only fitting that we would honor Prentice this season. 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.”

OU head football coach Bob Stoops is pleased that his team can participate in honoring Gautt.

“Prentice took a very important step in the history of this university and football program, but he didn't stop there,” 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 the 1956 national championship team at OU. That team will hold a reunion and join members of Gautt's family for a special ceremony at the Oct. 21 Homecoming game against Colorado.

Gautt's name adorns the athletics department's academic center at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, an honor bestowed in 1999. In 2003, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from OU.

Former Sooners' coaching great Bud Wilkinson awarded a football scholarship to Gautt. Gautt then became a two-time All-Big Eight player and the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP.

As a senior, he was named to the academic All-American team.

He played football professionally in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns (one year) and St. Louis Cardinals (six years).

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 Eight Conference and as a special assistant to the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

Gautt played high school football at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City. His senior year, he became the first black to play in the All-State game and he earned MVP honors.

He died on 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 (NFF) in May 2005.

Gautt is survived by his wife Sandra of Lawrence, Kansas, son, Roger, of Houston, Texas, and sister, Loretta Davis, and was preceded in death by son, Rory, and two brothers.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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