Oklahoma Sooners football helmets through the years

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The Oklahoma Sooners have one of the most storied histories in college football. They’ve been one of the most successful teams in the sport with seven national championships, 50 conference championships, and seven Heisman trophy winners.

Their interlocking “OU” is one of the more iconic logos in college football as well, but it hasn’t always been adorned on the side of Oklahoma’s helmets. The first iteration of the interlocking logo showed up in 1966. However, the style that we’ve all known made its debut in the 1967 season.

Though here have been slight alterations, the crimson helmet with the interlocking “OU” has been the primary look for the Oklahoma Sooners for nearly 60 years.

During the Bob Stoops era, Oklahoma began toying around with alternate uniforms and throwbacks with varying degrees of success.

In the 2003 season opener, the Sooners wore a white throwback helmet, a look from the early 1960s, against UNT and won 37-3 to start the season. The only other time Oklahoma used that throwback helmet was in a 2009 road game against Texas Tech. That matchup didn’t fair so well for the Sooners who were blown out in Lubbock 41-13. We haven’t seen the throwback helmet since.

Instead, the Sooners have taken the white helmet look and added the interlocking “OU” to the throwback helmet. That debuted in 2014 along with a metallic crimson and cream look.

The white helmet with crimson stripe is what the Sooners were wearing on that magical night in Waco where Jalen Hurts led them back from a 28-3 second-quarter deficit to beat the Bears and stay in playoff contention.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had some fantastic looks over the years, but nothing beats the traditional crimson helmet with the interlocking “OU.” It’s a look as identifiable as college football itself and will stand the test of time.

Let’s take a look at Oklahoma helmets over the years.

1957-1965: The Primary - White with red stripe

Oct 14, 1963; Norman, OK, USA: FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ralph Neeley (77) in action against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 1963 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1967-1971: Primary with white facemask

Oct 25, 1969; Manhattan, KS, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma Sooners running back Steve Owens (36) runs with the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats at KSU Stadium. The Wildcats beat the Sooners 59-21. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1971: Primary with white facemask

Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1972-1976: Primary with Gray facemask

Sep 1974; Norman, OK, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Rod Shoate (43) on the sideline during the 1974 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1977-1999: The Primary

Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1986: The Primary

Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1991: The Primary

RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

2000-2017: The Primary Look

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Network

2003: All White with Crimson Stipe vs. UNT

Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

2005: The Primary Look

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2009: All White, No Logo, Red Stripe vs. Texas Tech

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

2014-present: Alternate Metallic Crimson with Cream Stripe

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2017: Alternate White with Deep Crimson Stripe

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

2019: Alternate White with Crimson Stripe

Nov 16, 2019; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Rhamondre Stevenson (29) and quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in action during the game between the Bears and the Sooners at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2020-Present: Alternate White with Black Stripe

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2018-present: The Primary Look

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire