Reaction to Jack Mildren's Death
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes "Jack's conduct through his illness was one of the most courageous things I've ever witnessed. The way he lived his last years was a testament to the kind of man Jack Mildren was. Of course, Jack was the father of the wishbone. He came to us at the perfect time. We could not have accomplished the things we did without him. He helped create the greatest rushing machine in college football. What a complete player, a complete person. He was a runner, a passer and a great leader. We recruited a lot of superstars out of the state of Texas and Jack was the first one." -- Barry Switzer, OU head coach, 1973-1988
"Jack Mildren represented all of the best qualities that define what it means to be a Sooner. As an athlete he played with great heart and as a public official he always acted out of a deep love for our state." -- David Boren, Oklahoma governor, 1975-79; U.S. Senator, 1979-1994; current OU president
"First and foremost, we send our deepest sympathies to Jack's family. For all that he represented to this university and this state, he meant so much more to his loved ones. We want them to know that we are close to them at this difficult time. From the perspective of our football program, Jack was a role model for every young man who wears the Sooner uniform. He was gifted both athletically and intellectually yet was defined by his toughness and fortitude. He found his personal stardom by placing the team first and viewed his academic responsibilities as another opportunity to excel. After graduation he achieved his goals, while remaining loyal to his family and serving others. I don't know how any man could aspire for much more. We will miss him tremendously." -- Bob Stoops, OU head coach
"Jack Mildren was a legendary figure, yet his warmth and humility made him so very personable. That's what makes this loss so heart-breaking. I hope that Janis and the rest of Jack's family, all of whom are in our prayers today, know that while we admired him as a great Sooner athlete, we always valued Jack so much more as a friend. The young people that will follow in our program would be wise to look to Jack's memory for inspiration. We will forever hold him up as an example of dedication, selflessness, achievement and the dozens of fine qualities he embodied. He is a model of what it means to be a Sooner and he will always be missed." -- Joe Castiglione, OU athletic director
"You know, it’s funny that I never played with Jack, but it always felt like I did. I watched him coming up as a high school player and just always felt a kinship with him. I always viewed Jack as sort of a swashbuckler, that daring guy swinging from the ship. He had that chin strap buttoned, but never fitted. I knew he snapped it because those were the rules, but by wearing it loose he made a statement. If it hadn’t been a rule, he probably wouldn't have worn a chin strap. He was the kind of guy you'd want to be in a fox hole with. He fought to the end, and he approached everything in his life that way. There is always great solace in knowing guys like him are around. There is a comfort in knowing the members of our family. He was always the guy in charge. A lot of guys ran the wishbone, but they didn't have the pizzazz Jack had. He is respected as one of our foremost winners and he is one of those ghosts on the wall. When I was playing, his picture was on the wall and you knew that he was watching to make sure you were doing things the right way." -- Joe Washington, OU All-American running back, 1974
"He was the architect of what we did in the wishbone and he set the bar of what Oklahoma expected in a wishbone quarterback. There were guys that were faster and more elusive than Jack, but there were none that were better at running the offense. On most offenses, the toughest guy is the fullback or a lineman, but on our team I think the toughest guy was Jack. We called timeouts some times just so he could get his head cleared. He would do anything to make a play. Jack demanded that you everyone else approach the game the same way. There has been a tradition at OU that you are a great football player on the field and a gentleman off the field. That's what Jack represented. I was shocked when I heard (Jack had passed), but I knew he had an uphill battle. I know he had no regrets. God doesn't make mistakes. We had him for a while. Maybe God was ready to have him now." -- Greg Pruitt, OU All-American running back, 1971-72
"Jack Mildren represented the best of qualities in a student athlete. He had talent, drive and integrity and showed great sportsmanship, on and off the field. He played some of his best games against us, and we had nothing but respect for the way he competed and represented himself and his university.
"As a quarterback coach, I spent a lot of time analyzing his decision-making in the film room, and I can understand why he was an Academic All-American and later inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame. I believe Jack was the first Oklahoma player to receive a post-graduate scholarship. To me, his emphasis on academics says a lot about the way he prioritized his life, and it helps explain why he was so successful after football.
"I have always respected Oklahoma football, and it's because of leaders like Jack Mildren. I want his family and the Oklahoma athletic family to know that they will be in our thoughts and prayers this weekend." -- Tom Osborne, Nebraska coach, 1973-97; current athletic director
Related Post:
Former Sooner Great Jack Mildren Passes Away
*Corrected
Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma
It was amazing how Mr. Mildren lived his last days of life. I believe i maybe one of the last fans of Mr. Mildren's to recieve his autograph. Exactly one week prior to his parting. He talked to me at least 20mins. that day about the Sooners (of course) as if he'd known me forever that was very special to me. I remember how i called all my sooner fans and told them of he made me feel like my opinion matter. the last thing he said to me was " Thank You, Ms. Davis" as if he were grateful i asked for His autograph. I could tell he was an amazing human being and a wonderful Oklahoman. Thank You, Mr.Mildren. Prayers for his family always......
Sincerely,
Shirley Davis
12:07 AM