OU Mourns the Passing of Jakie Sandefer

NORMAN -- The University of Oklahoma was saddened to learn of the passing of J.D. “Jakie” Sandefer, who passed away in Houston at the age of 78. Mr. Sandefer served as a halfback for the Sooners on Bud Wilkinson's 1956 national championship team, earning varsity letters from 1956-58 during the midst of Oklahoma's famed 47-game winning streak.

He would go on to enjoy a highly-successful career in the oil industry, and was a longtime benefactor of the University of Oklahoma and OU Athletics. Mr. Sandefer will be warmly remembered by Sooners of many generations for his passionate and generous support of his alma mater, in particular, his beloved OU Football program.

“Jakie Sandefer will be greatly missed by the OU family," said OU President David L. Boren. "He was not only an outstanding football player at OU but an enthusiastic supporter and alumnus of the University. Above all, as the roommate of Prentice Gautt when OU broke the race barrier in intercollegiate athletics in this part of the country, Jakie Sandefer stood up for OU's bedrock principles of equal opportunity.”

“Jakie Sandefer made many significant contributions as a player both on and off the field,” said OU vice president and director of athletics, Joe Castiglione. “He may have been born in Texas and developed his business there, but he lived for the Oklahoma Sooners with virtually every breath he took. He was all-in when it came to cheering for OU or helping someone associated with OU. His impact on the program will not be forgotten.”

“On behalf of everyone associated with Oklahoma Football, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Jakie Sandefer," said head football coach Bob Stoops. "Jakie was certainly a fine player in his own right on some of Bud Wilkinson's greatest teams. But perhaps his greatest gift to the program was his ability to bring unite many different generations of OU players and fans in support of the Sooners. I will always value Jakie's friendship, the countless contributions he made to the University of Oklahoma and his unwavering love of OU Football.”

“Two of Jakie's great passions were Oklahoma Football and country music which were just two of the many things we had in common," said former Oklahoma head football coach Barry Switzer. "Jakie was full of tremendous pride and tenacity for the Sooners. He was instrumental in the 'Sooners Helping Sooners' program that has benefitted so many current and former OU students.

“Jakie was also my unofficial recruiting coordinator back when the rules were different. He very generously flew countless recruits into Norman who went on to great careers with the Sooners and in the NFL. Even though he was from Texas, his heart was always in the right place – in the middle of Sooner country.”

Among many notable teammates, Sandefer worked in the Oklahoma offensive backfield with the likes of Clendon Thomas and Tommy McDonald, who are both inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame. However, for many Sooners, Sandefer was known best for volunteering to be the road roommate of Prentice Gautt, a two-time All-Big Eight back, who was the first African-American scholarship football player at Oklahoma.

“Looking back, I didn't know it was that big of a deal,” Sandefer said in a 2012 article on SoonerSports.com regarding Gautt breaking the color barrier at OU. “I talked to him some about it. I asked him about what was going on, but really I was so worried about making the team and making my grades that I wasn't aware of much of anything else. And the funny thing is, when I asked Prentice about it, he said he was the same way -- he just wanted to make the team and make his grades.”

The Breckenridge, Texas, native took particular pride in scoring the go-ahead touchdown for the Sooners in the 1957 game against the Texas Longhorns. He also scored a pivotal touchdown in a 48-21 victory over Duke in the 1958 Orange Bowl.

“I'll tell you why I'm glad I came to Oklahoma,” Sandefer told author Wann Smith. “I feel truly blessed to have been part of this great football tradition.”

Sooners everywhere fondly recall the lasting impact that Jakie Sandefer made on the University of Oklahoma. More remembrances of Mr. Sandefer will be posted as they become available. Services are pending.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Mourns the Passing of Jakie Sandefer

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