How Much Could Football Affect Our State's Elections?

By Katie den Daas, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- There is the saying in Oklahoma that "Football is King," but how much influence does football have on who gets elected in the state?

Sports stars like Steve Largent and J.C. Watts have crossed over into politics when their time on the field is over.

One Sooner great and frequent political supporter, Barry Switzer, has weighed in on political candidates running in this state both in the past and recently.

"What a lot of people don't know about Barry Switzer is that he is actually very politically active, and if you think about it being the OU football coach, a legendary one, there's politics that come with it," said Keith Gaddie, OU Political Science Professor.

When Brad Henry needed to pull from behind and beat Steve Largent in November 2002, some say it was Switzer's support that scored him enough votes to take the Governor's seat.

Switzer flexed his political muscles again for underdog Democrat Billy Coyle.

"I don't know if it's sports. What it is is people that have a lot of integrity that are behind me," Coyle said.

Coyle is facing tough competition from Republican newcomer James Lankford in the 5th Congressional District.

"Given the kid of year the Democrats are having, it certainly can't hurt to have Barry Switzer endorsing you or raising money for you," Gaddie said.

Switzer said he is glad his political endorsements seemingly help the candidates he believes in.

"I don't know why but I influence enough people out there because I guess it's, if old coach goes along with it maybe I will too," Switzer said. "I go for the person. It's not the candidate, not the party.  I've always seen that way.