There is perhaps one thing that the late Toby Keith loved more than America and country music—the Oklahoma Sooners. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” hitmaker was a fixture on the sidelines of Gaylord Memorial Stadium for many years. Since his death in February at age 62 from stomach cancer, the Sooners have made it a point to honor the “Big Dog Daddy” at every home game. During Saturday’s (Nov. 23) matchup against conference rival Alabama, country star Riley Green honored Keith with a very special guest.
Riley Green Honors Toby Keith During OU-Alabama Game
In paying tribute to Toby Keith, CMA Award winner Riley Green combined two of the “Red Solo Cup” singer’s favorite things: Oklahoma Sooners football, and helping children in need.
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The “You Look Like You Love Me” singer took the field at Gaylord Memorial Stadium Saturday (Nov. 23) with a young boy named Xavier, who was there to represent the kids of the Toby Keith Foundation. Keith established the nonprofit in 2006 to build houses for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
After speaking a few words in Keith’s memory, Green handed off the microphone to Xavier. The young boy implored the crowd to, “Sing it loud!” as “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)” filled the stadium.
It was truly a sight to behold as 80,000 voices sang in unison: Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his list / And the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fist.
Then, the Sooners put a nice bow on Toby Keith’s tribute by handing a 24-3 loss to the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide.
Green Has Honored Toby Keith Before
Taking to Instagram Sunday (Nov. 24), Riley Green shared a carousel of snapshots from his experience honoring Toby Keith at the Oklahoma-Alabama game. But it wasn’t the first time the “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” crooner paid homage to the Big Dog Daddy.
Green teamed up with Zach Top to cover Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” at the 2024 Watershed Festival this past August.
Interestingly, Keith’s signature song has become a staple at Oklahoma State University football games— the bitter in-state rivals of none other than the Oklahoma Sooners.
Featured image via Instagram
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