Henry, Boren respond to death of Mildren

Oklahomans react to the death of former lieutenant governor and University of Oklahoma quarterback, Jack Mildren, who passed away Thursday.

Friday, May 23rd 2008, 1:44 pm

By: News 9


News9.com

The following statements are in response to the death of former lieutenant govenor and University of Oklahoma quarterback, Jack Mildren, who passed away Thursday after battling stomach cancer for the past two years.

 

"Jack Mildren was a dedicated public servant, a great Oklahoman and a good friend. He lived his life with courage, conviction and compassion, and showed the depth of his character in every aspect of his life.

Whether he was on the football field, in the classroom, the boardroom or the Lieutenant Governor's office, he was determined to succeed. His competitive nature, though, never overshadowed the kindness and generosity he showed to all around him.

Throughout his life, Jack Mildren sought to serve and give back to the community around him, and he will be remembered as much for his public service as for his heroic performances on the gridiron. Jack will be missed by all who knew him. Kim and I join all Oklahomans in sending our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time."

     --Governor Brad Henry

"Jack Mildren represented all of the best qualities that define what it means to be a "Sooner." As an athlete, he played with great heart and as a public official, he always acted out of a deep love for our state."
     --OU President David Boren

"First and foremost, we send our deepest sympathies to Jack's family. For all that he represented to this university and this state, he meant so much more to his loved ones. We want them to know that we are close to them at this difficult time. From the perspective of our football program, Jack was a role model for every young man who wears the Sooner uniform. He was gifted both athletically and intellectually yet was defined by his toughness and fortitude. He found his personal stardom by placing the team first and viewed his academic responsibilities as another opportunity to excel. After graduation he achieved his goals, while remaining loyal to his family and serving others. I don't know how any man could aspire for much more. We will miss him tremendously."
     --OU head football coach Bob Stoops

"Jack Mildren was a legendary figure, yet his warmth and humility made him so very personable. That's what makes this loss so heart-breaking. I hope that Janis and the rest of Jack's family, all of whom are in our prayers today, know that while we admired him as a great Sooner athlete, we always valued Jack so much more as a friend. The young people that will follow in our program would be wise to look to Jack's memory for inspiration. We will forever hold him up as an example of dedication, selflessness, achievement and the dozens of fine qualities he embodied. He is a model of what it means to be a Sooner and he will always be missed."
     --Vice President for Sports Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione

"Jack's conduct through his illness was one of the most courageous things I've ever witnessed. The way he lived his last years was a testament to the kind of man Jack Mildren was. He never complained and he continued to work. Jack was the father of the wishbone. He came to us at the perfect time. We could not have accomplished the things we did without him. He helped create the greatest rushing machine in college football. What a complete player, a complete person. He was a runner, a passer and a great leader. We recruited a lot of superstars out of the state of Texas and Jack was the first one."
     --Former OU head football coach Barry Switzer

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