RIP Jack Mildren 1949 – 2008

For those of here at y2kers who are Sooner fans, a gigantic figure in the history of Oklahoma Football was laid to rest today. 

Jack Mildren was the first big-time recruit from the state of Texas to cross the Red River and join the Sooner Nation, leading the way for many to follow him.  Mildren was such a big recruit that he inspired a young H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger who later in life would write the book “Friday Night Lights” which later inspired a movie and TV show.  He was, and will always be, The Godfather of the Wishbone, the offense that played such an important part to the success of Oklahoma Football in the 70s and 80s.  Barry Switzer, offensive coordinator who was responsible for Mildren’s recruitment, instilled the wishbone in the middle of the 1970 season for Mildren to run.  While the Sooners struggled with the complicated offense at first, the next year saw them average an NCAA record 472 yards per game (7.9 yards per play, 7.1 yards per rush), paving the way for the back-to-back National Championshihps in 1974 and 1975.   He was also an Academic All-American.  After his career at OU was over, he played in the NFL and would later become Lt. Governor of the great state I call home, Oklahoma.  He was probably best known to us y2kers for his work on The Sports Animal.  Here is some highlights from the 1971 OU-Texas game, the best highlights I could find of Jack Mildren (#11).  Hope you enjoy watching him thrash up the Longhorns for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 48-27 Sooner victory.