Prentice Gautt facts for kids

Prentice Gautt (born February 8, 1938 – died March 17, 2005) was an amazing American football player. He was a running back for the University of Oklahoma football team from 1956 to 1959. Prentice Gautt made history as the first black football player at the University of Oklahoma. He wore the number 38 on his jersey.

Early Life and High School Football

Prentice Gautt grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He played high school football at Douglass High School. In his senior year, he achieved another first. He was the first black player to join the All-State game. Not only did he play, but he also earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award!

College Career at Oklahoma

When Prentice Gautt wanted to go to the University of Oklahoma, it was a challenging time. The university's football coach, Bud Wilkinson, faced pressure. Some people did not want Gautt to receive a scholarship because of his race.

But a group of black doctors and pharmacists stepped in. They believed in Prentice. They gave him money to help him attend the school. Within a year, Prentice Gautt proved himself. He earned a scholarship based on his talent. The money donated earlier was then given to another black student.

Prentice Gautt became a star player. He was named an All-Big Eight player twice. This means he was one of the best players in the conference. In his final year, he was also named to the Academic All-American team. This award recognized his excellent grades and sports performance.

Professional Football

After college, Prentice Gautt played football professionally. He joined the NFL. He played for the Cleveland Browns for one year. Then, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals for six years. He was a strong and talented running back in the NFL.

Life After Football

After his time in the NFL, Prentice Gautt continued his journey in sports. He became a football coach at the University of Missouri. While coaching, he also studied hard. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology.

Later, he moved into sports administration. He worked as an assistant commissioner for the Big Eight Conference. He also became a special assistant to the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. In these roles, he helped manage college sports.

Legacy and Recognition

Prentice Gautt passed away on March 17, 2005. He was remembered for his courage and achievements. In May 2005, he received a special honor. The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame gave him an award. It was called the "Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award." This award recognized his huge impact on college football. Prentice Gautt opened doors for many others.