Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: How Baker Mayfield went from walk on to OU legend

By Christopher Dukes

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners (C) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners (C) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Baker Mayfield
NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Baker Mayfield /

‘That’ gesture against Kansas

From the moment the team captains refused to shake his hand Baker Mayfield knew sportsmanship was out the window when the Sooners took on the Jayhawks  in 2017.

Whether it was cheap shots or trash talk coming from paid members of the Kansas staff, the less-talented Jayhawks made it obvious they were going to use mental tactics to make up for their lack of ability on the field.

Unfortunately for them that’s exactly the kind of situation that brings out the best in Mayfield. After throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to go up 28-3 in the third quarter Mayfield made a lewd gesture in response to audible heckling from Kansas players and coaches alike.

The ESPN cameras captured the moment and spent the rest of the uncompetitive game opining about it, complaining about kids being able to see it (all while showing as many replays as they could possibly fit into the broadcast).

Mayfield was punished by Lincoln Riley for the incident, but it in the end it did nothing but endear him to the Oklahoma fan base even more. While the tactics weren’t to everyone’s liking, it was yet another example of exactly what Sooner fans had come to love and expect from their quarterback. It was the same firey attitude that had led him from a walk on to a legend in Norman.

Everything after

There have been plenty more moments that solidify Mayfield’s legacy at Oklahoma. He won a Heisman Trophy and played extremely well in a 54-48 loss to Georgia in the Rose Bowl. He went on to go No. 1 in the NFL draft and win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Cleveland Browns.

Many OU fans have pledged their NFL fandom to Cleveland as a result of Mayfield going there, yet another example of the unique bond he has developed with the Sooner Nation.

As he continues to build his NFL legacy it will do nothing but enhance his already-rich resume as an Oklahoma football icon.

Home/Oklahoma Sooners