DUNCAN —
When discussing Oklahoma Sooners football lore, it doesn’t take long for the name Steve Davis to enter the conversation.
The quarterback started every game in Barry Switzer’s first three years as head coach, brought back to back national championships to Norman in 1974 and 1975 and lost just one game.
Davis, to be forever be remembered as one of the all time greats, died Sunday in a plane crash in South Bend, Ind.. He was 60 years old.
Sports fans in Duncan remember Davis for his stardom on the field and his grace and kindness off of it.
Shawn Lockstone, a pharmacist at R&S Drug Store, saw Davis as “a guy with a lot of integrity” and “positive role model.”
While not a graduate of Oklahoma, Lockstone referred to Davis as a great sports broadcaster –Davis worked as a college football broadcaster for 18 years– and still remembers when he reached out to a struggling Sooners quarterback.
“I remember when [Oklahoma quarterback] Landry Jones was having a tough time and hearing that Davis reached out to him with an encouraging letter telling him that things would get better for him,” Lockstone said. “He was someone who really cared about other people.”
Davis’ impact on Jones was clear, as the latter went on to break Davis’ school records for consecutive starts (34) and career victories (32).
Duncan’s Tom Jones of Jones Oil Company, who has followed the Sooners since Davis played for them in the 1970’s, said it was Davis’ consistency and decision making on the field that stood out the most.
“He was a tough player, he never got injured,” Jones said. “He always made the right move, there were rarely ever mistakes.”
Jones referred to Davis as a Sooners legend.
“When you lose one game in three years, of course he’s seen that way,” Jones said. “He ran the wishbone offense about as well as it can be run.”
Sports
Related Photos
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Former Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis goes back to pass in a game during the 1975 season. Photo Courtesy The Oklahoman
Residents reflect upon Davis’ legacy
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