Sadly, there’s heartbreaking news on this Monday morning -- especially for the Sooner nation.
A family member of former Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis (pictured left) confirmed to the Tulsa World that the ex signal caller was one of two people killed in a plane crash in Indiana on Sunday afternoon. The other victim was identified as Wesley Caves. Two other passengers and a third woman were also injured and taken to the hospital. One passenger was listed in critical condition, the other in fair condition.
Davis, just 60 years old at the time of his death, played for OU from 1972-76 and won 32 games as a starter along with two national titles as part of an incredible career.
“I will never get away from the fact that I was an Oklahoma quarterback. I will never get away from the fact that I only lost one game,” Davis said in an interview for the 2008 book “The Die-Hard Fan’s Guide to Sooner Football.” “All of those things are a part of my legacy and my history. I am very thankful for what happened. I don’t know that I would trade my career for any other quarterback that has ever played at OU.
“They had a lot of scholarships and they recruited eight quarterbacks to try to find somebody that could imitate Jack Mildren, and I was one of those eight. I was the bottom of the eight but I was one of those eight, and through early fall drills I started out as number eight quarterback.”
He would go on to become a star in OU’s wishbone offense, though he completed just 40 percent of his passes for just over 2,000 yards. That mattered not in his 28 straight victories for the Sooners.
But Davis was also known for his character away from the field. Landry Jones, who would eventually surpass Davis’ 32 wins as OU’s starting QB, had the former Sooner as one of his biggest supporters when facing criticism for inconsistent play.
“He just really wanted to encourage me,” Jones said. “Just keep going, keep leading those guys and keep fighting, regardless of what happens in the next game or the last game. Your focus is on this game and always to lead those guys.”
Davis’ former coach, Barry Switzer, tweeted his condolences this morning:I’m saddened by the loss of Steve Davis. Great role model for young people on & off the field. He was my 1st QB & had an outstanding career.
— Barry Switzer (@Barry_Switzer) March 18, 2013Echoing those sentiments, our thoughts go out to the Davis family, along with all those affected by the crash. Additionally, we’re thinking of the Sooner family today. A tough loss for them as well.