Sports World Mourns Death of Country Music Star Toby Keith
Grammy Award-winning country music artist Toby Keith died Monday night at age 62 after a multiyear battle with stomach cancer.
Keith’s death shook the world of music, as well as the sports world when the announcement of his passing was made public Tuesday morning.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by family” a post read from his personal account on X, formerly Twitter. “He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Keith, who was born and raised in Oklahoma, played semipro football as a defensive end for the Oklahoma City Drillers in the 1980s. A renowned University of Oklahoma fan, Keith was mourned by Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione on Tuesday morning.
“Can’t believe we lost our dear personal friend, Toby Keith,” Castiglione posted on X. “Filled with deep sadness but flooded with wonderful memories too. He was as authentic as they come & did more for people than anyone will ever know. Please [pray] for his entire family. Rest high on that mountain Big T.”
OU’s primary account and the Sooners athletic department recognized Keith as well.
University of Houston men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who previously coached at Oklahoma, also shared his thoughts.
ESPN’s Pat McAfee also mourned Keith’s death on Tuesday:
So did former NFL quarterback Michael Vick:
Sports pundits and fans posted their tributes for the country icon as well: