“Heaven on Earth”: Oklahoma Sooners Continue Toby Keith Sing-Along Tribute Against Tennessee Volunteers

While many remember Toby Keith for his contributions to country music over the decades, the singer was far more than just a fan of the genre. He also loved few things more than the United States of America. Always willing to honor the armed forces and those service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Keith became a symbol of patriotism and freedom. But before grabbing the spotlight and selling millions of albums, Keith was nothing more than a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. And continuing to support the team before his death, the Sooners created a tradition in his honor that showcased his love for music, football, and America. 

Ranked No. 15 in the country, the Oklahoma Sooners take the field on Saturday night to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers. Having climbed the ranks over the last few years, the Vols found themselves in the No. 6 position. And wanting to extend their dominance over the NCAA, the Vols needed to secure a victory while on the road. With both teams coming into the matchup undefeated, the odds seemed to favor the Vols as they started with nearly a seven-point lead on the spread. 

While the Sooners and Vols game will certainly be a must-watch matchup, it’s the transition from the third quarter to the fourth quarter that true country fans will be tuning in for. Before starting the clock, Oklahoma will continue to take a minute to celebrate their newest tradition which involves playing Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.”

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect tonight:

[RELATED: Family Of Toby Keith Issues Heartfelt Thanks To Artists Involved in ‘American Icon’ Tribute]

Don’t Have To Be An Oklahoma Fan To Love Toby Keith

Although a new tradition for the Sooners, fans loved honoring Keith. “The sweet, sweet combination of Toby Keith in my drunken ears right now is heaven on earth.” Another person added, “I like the Toby Keith idea, but the man literally has like 50 number ones. They need to change it up every week and maybe make it a special surprise.” And one fan wasn’t even cheering for the Sooners. “I’m a Tennessee fan, and I do like Toby Keith (RIP), Blake Shelton, and others….”

Releasing a statement about the new tradition, the press release read,  “A new real-time decibel meter will measure crowd impact, encouraging fans to make sure the Sooners can hear and feel their support. The Toby Keith Tribute 3rd/4th quarter break will celebrate the Oklahoma icon, giving 85,000 fans the opportunity to sing along with the legendary Sooner superfan.”

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)