OU/Texas Game Provides
Brief Respite from Politics

By Allan Saxe, WBAP Political Analyst

Last Saturday, October 6, 2001, I took a brief respite from the drama of international politics. Like so many others, the terrorism, battle plans and coalition building have held my attention. But on October 6, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon I saw my beloved Sooners blast the Longhorns again.

As I watched the O.U. football team my mind was given a reprieve from the grief of the world, for at least a few hours. My memories of O.U. football go back many years. I attended O.U. in the late 1950s through the early 1960s. I was there during a brief period of the late great coach Bud Wilkinson.

Perhaps the greatest moment of my college years was when Coach Wilkinson personally telephoned me and asked if I could help tutor some of his players in history and government. After stuttering for a while I immediately took the assignment and have bragged about it ever since. Without my help, I have told the world, a few of the greatest O.U. players of yesteryear would never have played.

O.U. football has had three great eras: The Wilkinson Years, The Switzer Years, and now possibly the Stoops Era. While living in Oklahoma in my early years I attended nearly every Sooner football game. I was in the stadium at Norman when the Sooners lost to Notre Dame in 1957, 7-0. This win by Notre Dame broke an unsurpassed Sooner winning streak and O.U. never being shut-out in over a decade of games. I sat in the stadium stunned, and wrote an article for the O.U. newspaper titled, "Waiting for the fifth quarter."

I love baseball, basketball and nearly all the American sports. But football is the greatest of sports here in this country. It places unbelievable physical demands on its players. They must have great physical strength, finesse, skills and intense stamina. Baseball is wonderful, but does not place the same physical demands upon the players as football. The intense and relentless beating that football players have to give and take is riveting. Basketball requires amazing stamina and endurance, but not the physical punishment as football. And golf, oh well, that is a game for gentle people.

The pageantry of a great college football game is far and above other sports. The cheerleaders, bands, screaming fans and before and after game activities give the game zest. It is a uniquely American sports invention.

So for a few hours last Saturday, I was able to relax a while, with thousands of others and watch a terrific football contest. And simultaneously remember back to my college days. I have a wish that all of us will be able to enjoy such sports activities in the months and years ahead.

The Sooners had American flags imprinted on their helmets. This was a reminder for all the spectators, that they too understand all too well the demands and privileges of citizenship in this great country.

Allan Saxe serves as political analyst for WBAP News/Talk 820 and writes an opinion column for the Star-Telegram.

Listener Comments

I read with great interest this article as I too was at the Notre Dame game in 1957. As a youngster growing up in Norman, I would always hang outside the stadium hoping someone would give me a ticket. On that fateful day, I got a reentry ticket from a gentleman at the half and then marched to the top of the stadium by the pressbox and watched (in my red OU sweater) that final touchdown run by the Fighting Irish that ended the streak of 47!!!

I graduated from OU in 1973 and did not see any other games at home as I did my 26 years active duty in the Navy. 

Last fall I was able to take my son and daughter to the home Texas A&M game so they too could "feel" the Sooner Spirit!!! I always get such a lift just hearing that fight song and taking me back to my boyhood days in Norman!

Thanks for the remembrance!

Mel Baxter - Washington DC

Boomer Sooner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Good - Carrollton

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