Oklahoma expresses appreciation for Toby Keith, mourns country singer's death

The music world was saddened by the death of Toby Keith on Monday after a bout with stomach cancer, and the University of Oklahoma took some time on Tuesday to express its appreciation for Keith and all his work.

An Oklahoma native, Keith was one of the proudest representatives of the state.

“The OU Athletics family is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Toby Keith,” OU wrote in a statement. “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.”

The OU Athletics family is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Toby Keith. 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… pic.twitter.com/NAcSDKgyFa

— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) February 6, 2024

According to a statement posted on Keith’s website, he died peacefully on Monday night surrounded by family. Keith was 62.

Before his music career really took off, Keith worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma and played some semi-professional football.

But he began to make it big in the early 1990s, when he dropped the album ‘Toby Keith and Boomtown,’ which featured the hit single ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy.’ Keith would go on to release a handful of other albums, including the hit ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ in 1999.

Toby Keith became a worldwide sensation in country music, which makes the news of his death all that much tougher to swallow.

Keith, who was a big Sooners fan, frequented games and other Oklahoma sporting events over the years. He was even a guest picker once on ESPN’s College GameDay prior to the 2018 Red River Rivalry game.

Oklahoma wished the family well.

“All our love to Tricia, Shelley, Krystal, Stelen and their families,” OU wrote. “We’ll miss you on campus, TK. We’re crying for us.”