Oklahoma World War II Vet Participates In OU-Texas Game Coin Toss

We are less than two days away now from the Red River Showdown between OU and Texas.

Thursday, October 10th 2019, 7:29 pm

By: Jonathan Cooper

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Oklahoma World War II Vet Participates In OU-Texas Game Coin Toss

A World War II veteran is making his way to the Red River Rivalry to be a part of the coin toss.

93-year-old John Cockrum will be flying down to Dallas early tomorrow morning to be a part of the coin toss. The Sapulpa native is representing the state of Oklahoma during the pre-game ceremony.

AT&T is sponsoring the vets program for the coin toss, and another World War 2 vet will represent the state of Texas.

Cockrum enlisted in the military a week before his graduation back in 1943.

He served on a submarine during the war and later went on to become a teacher in Sapulpa.

Cockrum says he has no idea why they chose him for the ceremony but says he's honored to be a part of it.

He will also have dinner with Governor Kevin Stitt, before being a part of the pre-game ceremony on Saturday.

"It's quite an honor I think and I'm pleased I was selected,” said Cockrum. "It's going to be a great weekend. They're supposed to fly us down in a private jet, and give us hotel accommodations and come back after the game probably."

Cockrum says he supports all of the Oklahoma schools.

We asked him if he had a prediction for the game on Saturday, and he told us confidently OU is going to win.

Jonathan Cooper

Jonathan Cooper started at News On 6 in 2018 as the weekend evening anchor and moved to News On 6 at Noon in 2019. Now you can find Jonathan anchoring News On 6 at 4pm and News On 6 at 9pm on the Tulsa CW.

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