The Coach John Blake Legacy Scholarship will continue to honor the impact Coach Blake had on his alma mater, his teammates and the student-athletes he coached. This distinguished scholarship fund will have an annual student-athlete honorary designee who is a first-generation college student or someone who has exhausted eligibility and is pursuing a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma.
In addition to this scholarship, the University of Oklahoma looks forward to unveiling a bust of Coach John Blake in the Barry Switzer Center lobby prior to a 2022 home football game.
In addition to this scholarship, the University of Oklahoma looks forward to unveiling a bust of Coach John Blake in the Barry Switzer Center lobby prior to a 2022 home football game.
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About Coach Blake...
A native son of Oklahoma, John Fitzgerald Blake made history as the University of Oklahoma’s first African American head coach in any sport. It just so happened to be football at one of the most visible programs and positions in America. Blake, affectionately known as “Coach Boo,” was loved and respected by those who encountered his unwavering joy. He lived his life proudly standing on faith, generosity, and positive motivation with unapologetic passion. |
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His energy was woven into his familiar salutation... "Get Down”. It was not slang but a challenge to move in an uninhibited, excited manner in all that you put your hands to. It was the last thing he often said when parting company; especially to those in whom he had invested much.
His players played hard for him because they knew he loved and valued their lives beyond the white lines of a football field and behind society’s lines of scrimmage. Faith, family and football. Coach Blake’s success and legacy didn’t stand alone but was supported by his wife Freda and their son, Jourdan, his family, players and community who continue to hold his legacy in high esteem. His investment in others netted him a stellar football career as a player and coach, including lettering four years and serving as a team captain his senior year. A national championship followed as a graduate assistant coach at OU; and, ultimately at the age of thirty-four, getting the unprecedented opportunity to lead the Sooners for a three-year run as head coach at his alma-mater. He won not one but two Super Bowl Championships while serving as defensive line coach and associate head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The latter title - Super Bowl XXII- coming while reunited with friend, colleague and legendary Sooner Football Head Coach, Barry Switzer. He produced a robust list of players: NFL All-Pro performers, Super Bowl Champions, and NFL Hall of Famers bearing witness to his influence. |
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John earned national recognition as one of America’s greatest college recruiters because he perfected the art of playing an infinite game while most others played a finite game. Life after football, when the cheering stopped, was his goal line.
John Blake will forever be remembered for an unyielding pursuit of peace; for it was his secret weapon that enabled him to overcome challenges seen and unseen. Along the way he imparted love, patience, humor, and confidence.
We honor Coach John Blake because he didn’t fit into any category, he created one.
John Blake will forever be remembered for an unyielding pursuit of peace; for it was his secret weapon that enabled him to overcome challenges seen and unseen. Along the way he imparted love, patience, humor, and confidence.
We honor Coach John Blake because he didn’t fit into any category, he created one.
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