Porter Moser honors Toby Keith with special autographed shoes during SEC tournament

Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser honored the late Toby Keith at the SEC Tournament by wearing an autographed pair of shoes signed by the late country star. Moser wore the custom-designed shoes during the Sooners’ opening matchup against Georgia on Wednesday.

Of course, with the conference tournament is held in Nashville on a nearly annual basis — the country music capital of the world. Moser thought there would be no better time to bring out his one of a kind pair of pair of sneakers while coaching in the Music City.

“He’s hoping they bring good luck, and if they win tonight then we could see him wear these shoes all week,” ESPN’s Molly McGrath said during the final minutes of the first-round matchup.

McGrath spoke to Moser about his pair of shoes after the game. The Sooners headman was all smiles after deating the Bulldogs 85-71.

“Toby Keith meant so much to Sooner nation,” he said. “We’re in Nashville, and there are my special Toby Keith shoes. What an apropos for a guy who meant so much to Sooner Nation and for Toby Keith, [who meant so much] right here in Nashville

Keith was a superstar in his industry, but that never took away from his fandom of the Oklahome Sooners. He rose to become one of country music’s biggest stars in the 1990s and maintained his relevance over the next few decades, performing into his 60s. All the while he remained one of the biggest OU fans there was, becoming a regular on the sidelines at football games and sitting courtside at basketball games.

More than just cheering for the Sooners, Keith had given back to his home state’s community for years, and his foundation serves to offer no-cost housing for pediatric cancer patients. He has also been active in helping local animal shelters as well as in 2013 when Moore was struck by an F5 tornado.

Keith died on Feb. 5, 2024 after a bout with stomach cancer. He was 62 years old.

His spirit was alive and well inside the Bridgestone Arena as the Sooners advanced to the second round of the SEC Tournament to play No. 6-seed Kentucky on Thursday after defeating Georgia.

The Sooners will look to exact revenge on the Wildcats, who defeated OU in Norman on Feb. 26. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.