Oklahoma Great Mike Gaddis Passes Away
By Ryan Giglio
Mike Gaddis, one of the greatest football players in the University of Oklahoma program's history, has passed away at the age of 50.
Former Sooners coach Barry Switzer informed reporters about Gaddis' death on Monday. The former Dallas Cowboys head coach was Gaddis' head coach at Oklahoma in 1988.
No official cause of death has been announced.
"Here I am, at my age, and I've got so many guys that I recruited and played for me that I've lost... But that's the circle of life," @Barry_Switzer said. "And he was a good one. Just a good man."
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) August 12, 2019
Mike Gaddis dies at 50:https://t.co/mDIOa6HA80
Gaddis was a star running back for the Sooners from 1988-91, missing the 1990 season with a knee injury. In 423 career rushing attempts, Gaddis ran for 2,622 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Indicating what type of talent he truly was, Gaddis recorded career highs in yards (1,240) and touchdowns (14) in '91, the year after his brutal injury.
Gaddis was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1992 draft, but did not make the team after suffering another knee injury.
RIP #Sooners great Mike Gaddis. He was a childhood hero.
— Brandon Drumm (@BrandonDrumm247) August 12, 2019
Met Gaddis at OSU game in 1990. He was injured, but still took the time to talk to a seven year old that absolutely thought he was the greatest thing in world.
Gone at such a young age. God Bless to him and his family. pic.twitter.com/Yl4yX0a07p
In his adult life, Gaddis suffered from a kidney disease and underwent a kidney transplant in 2005. He also owned a Farmers Insurance agency in the Oklahoma City metro.