OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -Jack Mildren, a former lieutenant governor and the first quarterback in the University of Oklahoma’s vaunted wishbone offense, died on Thursday, his brother said. He was 58.
Mildren had been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer.
His brother, Richard Mildren, told The Oklahoman that Mildren was having some health problems relating to cancer, and was taken to Integris Baptist Medical Center.
Mildren was diagnosed two years ago with cancer but had continued to serve as a vice chairman for Arvest Bank and host a daily sports radio show on WKY 930-AM.
Legislators at the state Capitol observed a moment of silence for the former lieutenant governor, who walked the halls there in the 1990s. He ran for governor in 1994 as the Democratic Party nominee but lost to Republican Frank Keating.
Mildren was the quarterback for Oklahoma’s high-powered offense in 1971, when the Sooners set an NCAA record that still stands by averaging 472.4 rushing yards.
The Sooners finished 11-1 season that season and defeated Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahoma’s only loss came in the so-called “Game of the Century,” when top-ranked Nebraska beat the second-ranked Sooners 35-31 despite four touchdowns from Mildren – two rushing and two passing.
Mildren finished the season with 1,289 yards rushing – the most in school history for a quarterback – and 20 touchdowns before being drafted by the Baltimore Colts.
Add A Comment