Bedlam football can unite Republicans and Democrats — if they went to the same school
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That single moment during the year where Republicans and Democrats can agree — if they went to the same college.
While this Saturday’s game football game between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is probably the last Bedlam matchup for the foreseeable future, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again sometime in the future.
So people in the political world need to exercise some care. Choosing sides in Oklahoma football, can cause repercussions if, say, you're a statewide elected official.
Consider the governor. Though it’s no secret that Gov. Kevin Stitt proudly wears his OSU-orange tie, the governor is more of a centrist when it comes to speaking in public about Bedlam football. In August, Stitt — who graduated from Oklahoma State — told the online magazine Pistols Firing that he was "torn" over Bedlam.
“You know, as governor for obviously both schools and the state, obviously I’m torn,” the governor said. “I’m concerned for Oklahoma State. I want to make sure the Big 12 finds a home or expands, and that’s a going concern going forward. But at the same time, I’m excited for the University of Oklahoma and the opportunities and the more money at that conference.”
Stitt told the magazine he would love to see OU bring Oklahoma State and ”both of those schools go together to the SEC.”
He said the SEC appears to have the most money and the most leverage with TV contracts. “So, we’re working behind the scenes to make sure Oklahoma State gets into a good spot, whether it’s an expanded Big 12 or it’s a merger with the PAC-12,” he said.
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Stitt’s spokesman, Abegail Cave, said the governor would “definitely be cheering for his alma mater, OSU,” though as governor, Cave said, Stitt is a little more neutral now.
Still even the governor has a favorite Bedlam memory. Stitt’s favorite, Cave said, was the 2001 game when Josh Fields passed to Rashaun Woods to clinch the 16-13 victory.
'My only plan for Bedlam is looking forward to a great game'
Echoing Stitt, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, said he, too, is a proud OSU alumnus. But when it comes to Bedlam football, Drummond takes the center median. “My only plan for Bedlam is looking forward to a great game,” he said.
Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat is a graduate of OU. Treat’s spokesman, Alex Gerszewski, said Treat would be in Stillwater for the Bedlam game.
“As an OU grad, he hopes to see a repeat of the first Bedlam game in 1904,” Gerszewski said.
That's the year the Sooners rolled all over the Cowboys 75-0 in a game played in Guthrie in below-zero weather.
More: Why is the OU v. OSU football game called 'Bedlam'? How long has it been called that?
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, however, is hoping for a different outcome. Lucas, R-Cheyenne, is an OSU graduate whose district includes Stillwater. For the record, Lucas disagrees with Treat.
"As a husband to a Cowboy, a father to two Cowboys, and an alumnus myself, I have been around for the many ups and downs of Bedlam over the years,” Lucas said. “I’m excited to attend this weekend’s game at Boone Pickens for what will in all likelihood be the last Bedlam. I just hope we can give the Sooners a good sendoff before they test their resolve in the SEC."
Like Stitt, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, is an OSU graduate. Bice stopped short of saying whom she would cheer for, but the Republican congresswoman did say she wanted the series to continue.
"Bedlam has been a decades-long tradition for Oklahomans, and I’m disappointed this could be the last annual meeting for both teams,” she said. “Although I would have liked to see an agreement by the schools to continue the in-state rivalry, I look forward to Saturday’s final conference Bedlam game."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bedlam football 2023 can Oklahoma politicians from different parties
