Jack Mildren
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| Jack Mildren | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 10, 1949 |
| Place of birth |  Kingsville, Texas |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| College | Oklahoma |
| NFL Draft | 1972 / Round 2/ Pick 46 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1972-1973 1974 |
Baltimore Colts New England Patriots |
Larry Jack Mildren (born October 10, 1949), was born in Kingsville, Texas.
Mildren attended Abilene Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas, leading the Cougars to the Class 4A state championship game in 1967 against Austin Reagan High School. In one of the most memorable moments in Texas high school football history, with time running out and Cooper down by a single point, Mildren drove the Cougars to the Reagan one-yard line, only to be stopped short of the goal line on a quarterback sneak as time expired. Mildren notoriously waved the field-goal team off the field prior to the sneak, wanting to win the game with a touchdown.
Mildren is perhaps best known as the "Godfather of the Wishbone" going back to his quarterbacking days at the University of Oklahoma (1969-71). Introduced at OU in 1970 by Mildren's coach, Chuck Fairbanks, success of "The Bone" pivoted on a quarterback with a rare combination of quickness, strength and intelligence. Posting a mediocre 6-4 record in Mildren's sophomore year and off to a lackluster 2-1 start in 1970, Fairbanks' Sooners installed the option offense during the two-week period between a 23-14 home loss to Oregon State and the annual Cotton Bowl clash against arch-rival Texas. Despite losing 41-9 to the Longhorns (who had run the wishbone to a national title the previous season), the Sooners quickly turned their season around, going 5-2-1 after the gutsy switch, and also ushered in a period of rushing dominance seldom seen before or since.
Mildren set records in his 1971 senior season that still stand today. The Sooners posted an 11-1 record, with the wishbone averaging a remarkable 472.4 yards rushing per game. Mildren's records for most rushing yards in a season (1,140; 1971), most career touchdown passes (25), and season passing efficiency (209.0; 1971) remain unmatched. That same season, OU fell just short of a national championship, losing 35-31 in Norman, Okla., to eventual champ the University of Nebraska in what was billed as the "Game of the Century."
Mildren was named both All-American quarterback and Academic All-American his senior season. He was also named the 1972 Sugar Bowl MVP after the Sooners' 40-22 victory over the Auburn, a game OU led 31-0 at halftime.
After his collegiate days, Mildren joined the ranks of the pros for three seasons, playing defensive back for the Baltimore Colts and the New England Patriots.
In 1990, Mildren became the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma a post he held until 1995. In 1996, he ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for Governor of Oklahoma, losing to Republican Frank Keating.
Mildren is currently an announcer for WWLS, an all-sports radio station in Oklahoma City.
