SAD NEWS: Oklahoma pays a moving homage to Toby Keith, a devoted… Sooners supporter.

The Oklahoma Sooners honored country music artist Toby Keith, an Oklahoman who died on Monday following a fight with stomach cancer. The age of Keith was sixty-two.

Since he was a Clinton native and had long supported all Oklahoma athletics, Keith was a well-known Sooner at heart.

Thus, Oklahoma set up a guitar with a red OU solo cup—his trademark drinking vessel that inspired one of his many hit songs—in the seat he occupied next to athletic director Joe Castiglione behind the courtside basket prior to the Sooners’ men’s basketball game against BYU on Tuesday night.

In a statement earlier on Tuesday, Oklaoma Athletics said, “The OU Athletics family is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Toby Keith.” Living in a world where Toby doesn’t is an incredibly depressing fact. Our hearts are lighter without him now since he filled every space he entered with vitality and happiness.”A resilient Sooner and an American icon. An tremendous talent and a strong supporter of our program. We are grateful to him for his unflinching support, his human kindness, and the innumerable smiles and memories he brought to Oklahoma and the globe.”

It went on, “He fought his fight with courage and grace.” “Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”