Toby Keith’s enduring legacy continues to resonate with family, friends, and fans following his death from stomach cancer in February. During the University of Oklahoma’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, Keith’s daughter, Krystal Keith, accepted an honorary degree on his behalf, celebrating his deep-rooted connection to Sooner Nation.
“When he learned last fall that he was being inducted to Sooner Nation on this high of a level, he was so excited, and he was so proud,” Krystal shared during her heartfelt speech. She humorously recounted a conversation with her father about the degree, noting, “I actually made a joke about how many hours I spent here getting my bachelor’s degree, and he joked that he didn’t have to work that hard to get his. But we all know he earned it and spent many more hours dedicating his life to earning it this way.”
Krystal highlighted her father’s lifelong passion for the University of Oklahoma, recalling how, as a young teen, he sold Cokes at the stadium just to watch the games. “He joked that he would sell them for half the game, and then he would go sit and watch the game and sometimes got in trouble for not finishing his job.”
Keith’s dedication to the Sooner team was unwavering. “He broke his ankle playing a celebrity OU Alumni game in the ’90s,” Krystal remembered. “For as long as I can remember, he took our family to bowl games and was on every sideline or courtside of every OU event that he possibly could, regardless of sport or gender. He supported them wholeheartedly. He simply bled Crimson and Cream.”
This work ethic extended into his music career. Krystal quoted her father’s mantra: “‘They may write better than me, they may sing better than me, and they may look better than me, but they will NEVER outwork me,’” attributing his success to his relentless dedication.
Krystal also emphasized Keith’s deep patriotism, a value he instilled in his children. “He always said, ‘Never apologize for being patriotic,’ and practiced what he preached through his work with the USO.”
Reflecting on his 11 USO tours, she recalled, “He was going into the most dangerous zones, where guys that never got those entertainers to come to them, were housed and were sitting, and he would go and boost their morale. And that’s who he wanted to go see. We called him Captain America. And that’s something he earned.”
Toby Keith’s legacy lives on through his family, his music, and his unwavering support for his beloved Sooner Nation and his country.
—
Photo Credit: Tancha / Shutterstock.com