Sports World Mourns Death of Country Music Star Toby Keith

Keith, a passionate Oklahoma Sooners football fan, died Monday night at age 62.

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.”

pic.twitter.com/NfdLKGLQQe

— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024

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.”

Can’t believe we lost our dear personal friend, Toby Keith. 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 🙏 for his entire family. Rest high on that mountain Big T. pic.twitter.com/8BhoJuee10

— Joe Castiglione (@soonerad) February 6, 2024

OU’s primary account and the Sooners athletic department recognized Keith as well.

Remembering Toby Keith. ❤️

Forever a part of the #OUFamily. pic.twitter.com/jMJM6DDYhg

— University of Oklahoma (@UofOklahoma) February 6, 2024

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

University of Houston men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who previously coached at Oklahoma, also shared his thoughts.

If you knew him, you knew him. If you didn’t you still did. God gifted him with the uncanny ability to make all feel special. RIP Toby. Boomer. 🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/1O0KFnVZUd

— Coach Kelvin Sampson (@CoachSampsonUH) February 6, 2024

ESPN’s Pat McAfee also mourned Keith’s death on Tuesday:

Rest easy Toby Keith 🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/xGdXlS8mrS

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 6, 2024

So did former NFL quarterback Michael Vick:

RIP Toby Keith@CountryMusic @tobykeith
🙏🙏🙏 Legend for sure! pic.twitter.com/PDNzN3EbvY

— Michael Vick (@MichaelVick) February 6, 2024

Sports pundits and fans posted their tributes for the country icon as well:

Whiskey for my men,
Beer for my horses.
Toby Keith RIP

— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) February 6, 2024

Toby Keith was more than a Country Music Icon!!! He loved America, the Troops, Oklahoma, the Sooners, golfing, fishing, and so much more. He was a great man, and someone that I had the privilege to call a Friend! We will all miss you TK! ❤️ RIP https://t.co/mRe6ytlmf6

— DustyDvoracek (@DustyDvoracek) February 6, 2024

RIP to an amazing man, musician and friend Toby Keith. pic.twitter.com/zd3IlJ6ew1

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 6, 2024

Going thru all his music this morning realizing how many great songs he gave us. Legend. pic.twitter.com/laKYytClpm

— 👑 (@CodyHettinger) February 6, 2024

Today is a sad day on the prairie. Rest in peace, Toby Keith. Sooner born, Sooner bred, a Sooner to the very end. pic.twitter.com/ZS5XwFNLJB

— Seth Oliveras  (@SethOliveras) February 6, 2024

This can’t be real. I thought it was gonna be a good day too. Rest easy. Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue on repeat all day today.

— AK ⛈ (@aklee51) February 6, 2024

This hit like a ton of bricks 😢 pic.twitter.com/roKpOCd5mx

— Paul Dukes fan Ultra Beer Dude🇺🇸🇨🇦🇮🇱🎗️ (@A412Paul) February 6, 2024

Rip a legend🕊️ pic.twitter.com/XWEtoBf9Hp

— Benny Buckets (@mathurINDY00) February 6, 2024

pic.twitter.com/zOZHRnfi5H

— SportsGridRadio (@SportsGridRadio) February 6, 2024