Mike Gaddis died Monday at age 50. The news shocked Sooner Nation. So did the age. Gaddis was 50 years old? Time is undefeated.
Gaddis’ death ignited the what-if game. What if Gaddis’ knee hadn’t blown against Texas in 1989, when his career, his season and his game were on a robust path.
Was a Heisman Trophy in his future? A glorious pro career? Anything seemed possible on October 14, 1989. By early third quarter that day in the Cotton Bowl, Gaddis had 1,382 rushing yards in 1-1/2 seasons as a Sooner, 829 yards in that sophomore season alone and 130 yards on just 14 carries that day against the Longhorns.