As a passionate and devoted Oklahoma Sooner fan myself, I can imagine there are hundreds — maybe even thousands — of Sooner fans worthy of consideration as the No. 1 Oklahoma fan.
The OU athletic department recently set out in search of the No. 1 Sooner sports fan. and in these difficult times when it is important that we look out not only for ourselves but others, it seems highly appropriate that they would narrow down the entries to someone with a unique way of sharing the OU spirit and bringing Sooner fans together.
Bruce Burdette is a transplanted Oklahoman, like many Sooner fans across this great land, who now resides, along with his wife, in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife started the OU Club in Birmingham.
Any time a Sooner athletic team competes in the State of Alabama, Burdette makes sure the team is welcomed with, among other things, a special hat he has designed with speakers that play the OU fight song “Boomer Sooner.”
“OU Bruce,” as he is known to his close friends, has led the OU Club of Birmingham to three consecutive titles for displaying the “The Most School Spirit” at the city’s annual Tailgate Challenge, a charity event held every fall to kick off the new college football season.
Regarding the show of school spirit, Burdette claims to be second only to Lincoln Riley in that department.
One of Burdette’s prized possessions is a retirement letter signed by Bob Stoops (OU Bruce’s not Bob’s). He proudly refers to the back deck of his Birmingham house as “Gaylord East.”
It probably won’t be much of a surprise to know that the car OU Bruce owns is a crimson and cream-colored Thunderbird with the signage “Sooner Edition” on both sides of the vehicle.
Burdette’s selection as 2020 No. 1 Oklahoma Fan was decided by a Sooner Nation fan vote.
OU Bruce appears to be extremely deserving of this honor.