Comments on: Remembering Jack Mitchell: A dashing Sooner

By: Kevin Williams

Kevin Williams — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:26:55 +0000

Barry,
Although I’m unfortunately too young to have any memories of Jack Mitchell after I read your great article on him and his life it made me wish that I could’ve been able to meet him. Sounds like he was a real “class act”. Now it will probably surprise you to hear me speak so highly of a Sooner especially since I’ve always been a die-hard OSU fan…but I’ve always held to the belief that even Sooners have GREAT former (and current) players and I’ll sing their praises (as long as its not on a day of the bedlam game LOL then I’ll have to remain loyal to my Pokes LOL). GREAT STORY!!!

By: Steve Booher

Steve Booher — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:44:21 +0000

I’m an Arkansas City, Kan. native and graduated from high school there in 1965. Ark City was a big sports town and you’d have thought there should have been a shrine to Jack Mitchell. Instead, I learned of his abilities the same as you, when I read of his exploits running the streets of Ark City. I later got into the newspaper business and met him when he published the Wellington, Kan. paper. What a personality. That’s when I became a Jack Mitchell fan and took the time to learn more about him. Thanks for rekindling some old memories about a great Ark City Bulldog and OU Sooner.

By: John D.

John D. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:47:29 +0000

Barry,

As a 12 year old, I remember going out to O.U. and carrying Jack Mitchell pads in after practice. Sometimes he would stay late after practice and show me the fundamentals of playing quarterback. Before each home game I would stand at the southwest gate atOwne Field and wait on the team bus. He would come over to the gate and get me and I would go in the lockerroom and then watch the game. I remember one day after practice, I went out to get my bike and head home. I had a flat tire. He came out, he had just bought a new Ford 4 door. He said throw it in the back. He took me home, came in and met my family. My younger brother called me the day that the news came over channel 4, to tell me of his death. He was probably around 5 or 6 when Jack brought me home. He remembers that day.

I also remember he took me up to his apartment and I met his wife. I remember as a kid how beautiful she was and I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Things like that really make an impression on a young boy. I always wanted to play quarterback after that. I was never that good but I did get to fullfill my desire.

Thanks for the memories of a great Sooner athelite and great human being.