Oklahoma baseball coach Skip Johnson shares heartfelt message about late Sooners superfan Toby Keith

On Tuesday, country singer and Oklahoma Sooners fan Toby Keith died after a multiyear battle with stomach cancer. He was 62 years old. Oklahoma baseball head coach Skip Johnson posted a heartfelt message on social media about Keith after his death was announced.

“We lost a great man and friend last night in Toby Keith,” Johnson wrote. “He never thought of himself before the other guy. He always brought something of value to the dance. He was always a breath of life! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest easy Hoss!”

Keith was best known for his massive country music hits, including “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American).” The patriotic singer-songwriter gained popularity in 1993 with his self-titled album: “Toby Keith.”

Keith released 19 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five compilation albums, totaling worldwide sales of over 40 million albums. He charted 61 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including 20 No. 1 hits.

When Keith wasn’t entertaining the masses, he loved to enjoy Oklahoma Sooners sports. Keith grew up in Oklahoma and played defensive end at Moore High School. He also later played with the semi-pro Oklahoma City Drillers.

Along with Johnson, the Oklahoma athletics department released a statement following Keith’s death.

“The OU Athletics family is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Toby Keith,” the department wrote on X. “It’s a profoundly sad reality to exist in a world where Toby doesn’t. He brought life and joy to every room he entered, and our hearts are dimmer today without him.

“An American icon and a stalwart Sooner. A superstar talent and a fierce friend of our program. We thank him for the unwavering support he always gave, his generosity as a human being and the countless smiles and memories he created here in Oklahoma and around the world.”

Keith was proud to be from the Sooner State.

“More so than anything, I’m just proud to be an Oklahoman. Everywhere I go … I hear people say, ‘You know, you’re the face of the Sooner nation.’ Or if I go overseas, or if I go into other states, people will wave an Oklahoma flag or a Sooner flag,” Keith told The Oklahoman in a 2007 interview.

Keith’s family has asked for privacy in their time of mourning. When they are ready, they can be certain their fellow Oklahomans will be there to celebrate Keith’s legacy.