Prentice Gautt

In the early 1960's, as a second grade student at the now defunct Sunset Elementary School in Oklahoma City it was an honor to have a brief encounter with Dr. Gautt. In the era of President Kennedy's Presidential Fitness Program, Dr. Gautt and a teammate visited our school. Up until that point in my life rarely had I ever encountered a black man. And to a second grader this football player seemed absolutely huge, the epitome of fitness. What I recall most was his kindness. As he shadowed over...

I just recently ran across this obituary of Prentice. When I was a Freshman at OU, it was the first year that the dorms were integrated. Prentice had friends in my dorm and visited when he had time. Being white, I felt very fortunate when Prentice included some of us in the dorm and helped us understand more about football. This was a big year for OU in football because of Prentice. We were all so proud of him--both athletically and as an individual. I had no idea he died in...

I remember the magazine cover " the sword and the plow ". Billy Cannon was the plow and Prentice Gautt was the sword. A great player and gentleman.

I just learned of Prentice's passing after I noted his name attached to a Big 12 Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship award to Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Senior Bowl participant. Prentice and I were both born in 1938. I became acquainted with Prentice at ROTC Summer Camp at Fort Hood, Texas. I remember Prentice as a great gentleman, and as an accomplished ROTC cadet. I wish I had had opportunity to become even better acquainted. If anyone would like to preserve longer...

Knew Dr.Gaut at OU in 1957,class act all the way.
I was a freshman then and on a FB scholarship,he was kind to all freshman,never thought he was better than anyone.Sandefer was right in his comments,he was different he had more character and definitely a better student.There was another black players there at time as well,his name was Wallace Johnson,not as talented as Gautt but also a good student and kind to everyone.Both were from Douglass HS in OK City.

Dr. Prentice Gautt is a masterpiece of God...best of the best...bet God needed him for something really important...lived life just as he played his handball...Graceful, skillful and with great humility and respect...what a gift!

I remember Dr. Gautt when I was a young student at Stonegate Elementary in Oklahoma City in the mid 60's. As I recall he was a student teacher after or during one of his NFL seasons. I was saddened to see Dr. Gautt passed away, but what a great man and a great legacy he has left behind.

I met Dr. Gautt in the summer of 1973 when I first arrived in Columbia on a basketball scholarship, and he was in the athletic department as an advisor. Away from home for the first time, Prentice went out of his way to engage in conversations regarding academics and adjusting to college life, and I am forever greatful to him for his kindness in helping adapt to new surroundings. It is an honor to have known him.