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Dr. Steven Shin, John Mateer surgeon, flashes Horns Down at Oklahoma-Missouri game

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz8 hours agoNickSchultz_7
John Mateer
USA Today Sports

The surgeon who operated on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s hand is in attendance for Saturday’s game against Missouri. Dr. Steven Shin is at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium – and he seems like he’s fitting in well.

Shin flashed a Horns Down to the fans in attendance ahead of Saturday’s matchup. He was on the sideline pregame, celebrated by the OU faithful for the successful surgery on Mateer’s hand earlier this season.

Mateer was able to return in time for the Red River Shootout against Texas, and Oklahoma is in position to make the College Football Playoff this year, as well. As a result, Shin has become a hero of sorts around Norman for saving the quarterback’s season.

Shin rose to prominence among Oklahoma fans after they learned he would be the one performing the surgery on Mateer’s injured hand. He underwent surgery following OU’s victory over Auburn, putting his status for Red River in question. He wound up returning in time, though he had a brace on his hand throughout the matchup.

All the while, Mateer said he was working to get Shin to a game at some point. Saturday was that day, and the Washington State transfer said Shin would quickly find out how much of a local hero he was.

“If he comes to Norman, he will really feel it,” Mateer said. “He’s probably aware but it’s hard to really understand until you come here.”

Prior to his injury, John Mateer put himself squarely in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. Through his first four games, he had a 67.4 completion percentage as he threw for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns, to three interceptions, before undergoing surgery. Following his return, though, he has completed 60.5% of his passes for 872 yards and two touchdowns, to four interceptions.

In the process, OU has also gotten back into the College Football Playoff picture. The Sooners are the No. 8 team in the country, meaning they would be in position to host a first-round game in the projected 12-team CFP bracket. Saturday’s game against Missouri looms as a big one, though, as OU looks to stay on track. But the stakes are still plenty high. A loss to Missouri would hand the Sooners a dreaded third loss and likely take them out of the race entirely.