Black History Month 2019: Prentice Gautt, first black football player on scholarship at OU remembered for humility and respect
Prentice Gautt
Prentice Gautt’s status as the first black football player on scholarship at OU is often what he’s remembered for. But his humility and respect for others is what makes his legacy great. This story is part of a series The Daily will publish throughout February in honor of Black History Month.
George Stoia III • @GeorgeStoia
P
rentice Gautt walked alone to the Oklahoma freshman football team bus. He had hit rock bottom.
It was 1956 and he and the Sooners were on their way back from playing in Tulsa and had stopped for dinner. When Gautt entered the restaurant, the owner approached him and said he had to eat in the basement by himself due to the color of his skin. Not wanting to make a scene, Gautt politely went back to the bus where he would wait for his white teammates.