Toby Keith loved his Oklahoma football team.

An Oklahoma native, Keith engulfed himself into Sooners nation from a young age working OU football games, a job that merged two of his loves: football and, of course, Oklahoma. That didn't change as he became a star musician in the country and western music genres: He was regularly seen attending Oklahoma football games and routinely celebrated each of the university's sports exploits (including the softball team's third straight national title in 2023).

Keith, 62, died on Monday after a battle with stomach cancer. His death spurred numerous tributes and recollections of his love of all things Sooners. It also raised the question of whether the unabashed Sooners fan was ever a member of the college football team he followed so fervently.

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Here's everything you need to know of Keith's football playing days, including whether he ever geared up for the Sooners.

Did Toby Keith play college football?

No. Despite growing up in Moore, Oklahoma and playing defensive end at Moore High School, Keith did not play in college.

Following his high school graduation, Keith began to work in the oil fields alongside his father. He found his way back to the gridiron in 1982 after being let go as the oil industry in Oklahoma began to decline.

He briefly played semiprofessional ball for the Oklahoma City Drillers, the unofficial farm team of the United States Football League's (USFL) Oklahoma Outlaws — all while stilling performing with the East Money Band. But after not making the Outlaws, Keith shifted back full-time to music and the rest is history.

Toby Keith, Oklahoma Sooner super fan

Keith was an Oklahoma Sooners super fan through and through, starting at the ripe age of 10 years old when he sold refreshments at OU football games.

Back in 1994, Keith got the chance to participate in the annual Oklahoma alumni football game which he told The Oklahoman at the time was "like a dream come true" as he got to suit up and play alongside some of his childhood heroes. That was the case even after he broke his ankle in the later stages of the game.

"I'd do it again," Keith said. "I was in heaven standing there in Sooner Red."

Throughout the years, while he was not touring, Keith became a fixture at Sooners athletic competitions. Whether that was standing on the sideline at a football game or sitting baseline at basketball games, Keith donned crimson and carried his famous red solo cup in his hand.

Most recently in June, Keith celebrated with the Sooners softball team at his Oklahoma City restaurant, singing "How Do You Like Me Now?!" after they won their third straight national championship.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Toby Keith and college football: Did he play for Oklahoma Sooners?