Crimson 38 yard line

[RacerX]

Associated Press



NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma received permission from the NCAA to mark the field at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium this weekend to pay tribute to its first black football player, the late Prentice Gautt.
The university said it plans to place a solid crimson line on the 38-yard line from sideline to sideline for Saturday's game against Colorado. Oklahoma officials said that Colorado also approved the plan.
Gautt wore jersey No. 38 for Oklahoma, and that number was not issued to a player this season.
More than 30 players from the school's 1956 team -- on which Gautt played for coach Bud Wilkinson -- will be honored at halftime.
Gautt, the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP, played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Cardinals and later coached at Missouri.
Gautt died in March 2005 from flu-like symptoms at age 67.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

[RacerX]

http://members.cox.net/racerx4ou/baylorprogram1999s.jpg

[RacerX]

http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics24/400/EM/EMEYBVKSOXNSHNW.20060607174716.jpg

[RacerX]

From soonersports.com

NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma has received permission from the NCAA to mark the 38-yardline with a solid crimson line from sideline to sideline for this Saturday’s game against Colorado.

This is being done in honor of the late Prentice Gautt, who wore No. 38 when he played for the Sooners. No. 38 was not issued to an Oklahoma player this season.

Gautt was the first black football player at OU and a member of the 1956 squad that also will return this weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its national championship season. Members of Gautt’s family and more than 30 players from the ’56 team will be honored at halftime. The group will be hosted for a dinner on Friday night in the Kerr-McGee Stadium Club.

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 Sooner 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-America 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 then as a special assistant to the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

Gautt played football at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City.As a senior, 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.

It should be noted that the University of Colorado was gracious in approving the plan to place a special marking on the playing surface for Saturday’s game.

[IB4OU2]

That's so cool! May Prentiss enjoy his day.....he was a great Sooner. RIP friend.

[yermom]

Stoops must have liked him...

he didn't let just anyone wear that number :eek:

[Partial Qualifier]

I've never seen that color pic of him during his playin' days. Sweet.

[Boomer.....]

Neat deal. It is great to honor a pioneer.

[Rhino]

That's really cool.

[poke4christ]

Now this is just feak'n cool.

Zac

[BIG_IKE]

Prentice was not only a pioneer, but a great Sooner and Oklahoman. He represented the state,school and football team well. He wsnt just a dumb jock either, we went on to earn his PhD!!

He was a two-time All-Big Eight player and the 1959 Orange Bowl MVP. His senior year, 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 was posthumously given the 2005 Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) in May 2005.

[BIG_IKE]

oops..Racer beat me to it!

[n8v_ndn]

Wow, that's sweet. Congrats and RIP Mr. Gautt

[Boomer_Sooner_sax]

This is really cool to me as is Colorado agreeing to it as well...very classy.

[tbl]

That's good stuff right there...

Too bad there isn't a 70 yard line or saxeT could do it in honor of the year they took their first black player. :D

[RacerX]

I'll have to get motivated one of these days and transcribe or scan the article from that program. It's a good one.

[RacerX]

http://www.ljworld.com/photos/2005/03/18/nbobitgautt.jpg

[RacerX]

http://www.legacy.com/images/Portraits//3306668port.jpg

[TUSooner]

Extremely cool!
When I was little, I thought his name was "Brenda Scott" :O

I wish I could see the '56 team, too.

[buffalo1]

Sounds like a good human being.
Nice of ou to honor him in this way.

I'm not surprised at all (and am happy that) that CU endorsed the change to honor this fine individual.

[Herr Scholz]

Gotta give OU props for that. Very cool.

[Blues1]

Got to See Him Play in the 59 Orange Bowl.....On his 2nd Carry he went about 55 yards for a TD...2nd Play of the game....
Final Score OU 20 - Syracuse 6

It was Rockin'

[TheUnnamedSooner]

Gotta give OU props for that. Very cool.

Yep, and in 20 years, texass can celebrate the 50 year anniversary of their first black athlete as well!

[RacerX]

Iowa State had their first in 1923 I believe.

The stadium is named in his honor.

[Scotty]

wow

[RacerX]

Jack Trice

http://www.isualum.org/documents/Jack_Trice_082605162421.jpg

Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first black athlete, was also the first athlete to die for Iowa State. On the night of his first football game, October 5, 1923, Jack wrote in a letter on some hotel stationery, “My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.”

During the first half of the game he had so anticipated, Trice suffered a broken collarbone. He continued to play during the third quarter, until he was thrown on his back and trampled by three Minnesota players. He died three days later. Four thousand students and faculty members attended his funeral service on central campus.

[tbl]

Yep, and in 20 years, texass can celebrate the 50 year anniversary of their first black athlete as well!
See page 1. :mack:

[royalfan5]

Well, Nebraska had George Flippin in the 1890's and recieved a forefit from Mizzou because they refused to share a field with a black player.

[SCOUT]

Jack Trice

http://www.isualum.org/documents/Jack_Trice_082605162421.jpg

Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first black athlete, was also the first athlete to die for Iowa State. On the night of his first football game, October 5, 1923, Jack wrote in a letter on some hotel stationery, “My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.”

During the first half of the game he had so anticipated, Trice suffered a broken collarbone. He continued to play during the third quarter, until he was thrown on his back and trampled by three Minnesota players. He died three days later. Four thousand students and faculty members attended his funeral service on central campus.

WOW. That is a story I had not heard before. Thanks for posting it.

[instigator]

Jack Trice

http://www.isualum.org/documents/Jack_Trice_082605162421.jpg

Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first black athlete, was also the first athlete to die for Iowa State. On the night of his first football game, October 5, 1923, Jack wrote in a letter on some hotel stationery, “My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents' line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.”

During the first half of the game he had so anticipated, Trice suffered a broken collarbone. He continued to play during the third quarter, until he was thrown on his back and trampled by three Minnesota players. He died three days later. Four thousand students and faculty members attended his funeral service on central campus.


Wow!

So you're saying he played with a broken collarbone? Sounds like AD is a wuss. ;)

[Sooner Born Sooner Bred]

They should retire #38 on behalf of Dr. Gautt and TRRW,

[Flagstaffsooner]

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6905/o21homesh8.jpg

[justanotherguy]

Does anyone have a picture of the completed red 38 yard line? I've searched and searched and searched and haven't found anything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

[BIG_IKE]

Trice is who Iowa State's stadium is named after.

[Desert Sapper]

Well, Nebraska had George Flippin in the 1890's and recieved a forefit from Mizzou because they refused to share a field with a black player.
http://net.unl.edu/sportsFeat/pioneer/hc_mvp/hc_players/images/card_georgeflippen.jpg



George Flippin, the son of freed slaves, distinguished himself as one of the first black athletes to play at a predominately white university. During the team's early years, Flippin was arguably Nebraska's greatest football asset. He was an all around athlete who played baseball, wrestled and threw shot-put on the track team, but his finest talents were as a football player. A large man at the turn of the century, standing 6'2 and weighing 200 pounds, he was a feared tackle but best known for his plunging runs.
Flippin's running skills and tough character got Nebraska through a rough game against Iowa his freshman year. The Iowans, increasingly frustrated by Nebraska's strength, turned violent. Flippin suffered cuts on his hands and face, but led his team to a 20-18 revenge victory for the 22-0 trouncing the year before. The next year Nebraska met Missouri who demanded that Flippin be dropped from the roster. Nebraska refused. Missouri was forced to forfeit the game.

Flippin endured incredible prejudice from opponents like Missouri and Iowa as well as at home from his own coach. He was elected to be captain by his teammates, but the vote was overruled by Coach Frank Crawford. He explained his veto, claiming that, "It takes a man with brains to be captain: all there is to Flippin is brute force… I don't take exception to him because he is colored, but it takes a head to be a football captain."

Flippin was indeed a forceful football player but he was also an accomplished orator and the president of a campus literary society. Flippin graduated with a medical degree and established a practice in Stromsburg, Nebraska where he later helped found a hospital. A life-long learner, Flippin traveled the world visiting medical institutions learning new methods. When he died in 1929, his funeral was the largest in Stromsburg to date.


Wow. Hat's off.

[KingDavid]

http://net.unl.edu/sportsFeat/pioneer/hc_mvp/hc_players/images/card_georgeflippen.jpg



Wow. Hat's off.



Amen to that. Very cool.

[colleyvillesooner]

Does anyone have a picture of the completed red 38 yard line? I've searched and searched and searched and haven't found anything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

I do at home, I'll post it tonight.

[Desert Sapper]

Any chance we can make the red 38 yardline permanent?

[colleyvillesooner]

here you go:

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8199/thdsc03999bm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/4870/thdsc04000uw2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2037/thdsc04001xk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[colleyvillesooner]

Bump for those who were looking for it.

[Jason White's Third Knee]

I hope we keep it.

[OUGreg723]

They should retire #38 on behalf of Dr. Gautt and TRRW,

and JD Runnels.

Three exceptional Oklahoma Sooners.