If OU ever starts retiring numbers, here in order are the best candidates, according to Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel:
1. 49, Waddy Young: All-American end from Ponca City, killed in World War II when his B-29 was shot down over the Sea of Japan in January 1945.
2. 77, Bob Kalsu: All-American lineman from Del City, killed in Vietnam in 1970 after his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills.
3. 38, Prentice Gautt: Not the greatest 38; that honor goes to Roy Williams. But OU’s first black player did more for the program with his unparalleled dignity.
4. 91-93-98, Dewey, Lee Roy & Lucious Selmon:Lee Roy was the best Selmon player, and the best OU player of any name, but you can’t honor one Selmon without honoring all three for their leadership and class and ferocious defense.
5. 17, Jerry Anderson: Great 1970s cornerback drowned in 1989 saving the life of an 11-year-old boy in the flooding Stones River of Tennessee.
6. 1, J.C. Watts: Not the greatest quarterback in OU history, but a distinguished U.S. congressman and maybe future governor.
7. 35, Billy Vessels: If you go strictly on football, you have to start with the Heismans.
8. 36, Steve Owens: Retire one Heisman winner, retire them all.
9. 20, Billy Sims: If he had won two Heismans, would rate No. 4 on this list.
10. 18, Jason White: You have to go in order, but the best Heisman story of them all.
By Berry Tramel
