The legend of Steve Davis from Sallisaw loomed large in places like Eufaula and Spiro in the 1970s.
"Steve was going to speak at a deal down in Spiro so I put on my little Eufaula jersey like all of the other kids and we went to hear Steve speak," said J.C. Watts. "It was such a big deal to all of us.
"I don't care if you are Tony Romo in Dallas, Robert Griffin III in Washington, Cody Green in Tulsa, Landry Jones at Oklahoma or J.C. Watts from Eufaula. In terms of how to be a quarterback, Steve Davis was it. Steve Davis defined what it meant to be a quarterback."
Davis died in a plane crash in the spring but his quarterback legacy, forged in the mid-1970s at OU, remains a powerful influence in our state to this day.
"All quarterbacks look the same without blocking," said Watts, a former U.S. congressman and OU quarterback. "Steve Davis gave us a picture of what quarterback is supposed to look like.
"Steve figured out the most important thing was to have one more point at the end of the game than your opponent."
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have persistent quarterback questions heading into this season. Tulsa has an established quarterback and his ability to lead remains the most important factor for TU's success this season.
Forty years after Davis led OU to back-to-back national titles, Davis remains the standard by which all quarterbacks are judged not only at OU but at Oklahoma State and Tulsa, too.
"Think about the fact that he played on a team with eight All-Americans," said John Roush, who played at Oklahoma and was good friends with Davis. "That's an incredible number. Eight All-Americans and Steve was our leader. No doubt about it.
"His leadership on our team was incredible. The way he came into the huddle and took command was amazing."
He was not the most talented quarterback in OU history. There have been terrific runners, like Jack Mildren and Watts, and pro-caliber throwers, like Sam Bradford and Jones.
However, many still consider Davis the perfect blueprint for college quarterback because of his record.
Davis knew how to win. He led the Sooners to a 32-1-1 record as the starting quarterback.
"People may not always remember Thomas Lott or J.C. Watts but they are always going to remember Steve Davis," said Watts. "He was a huge influence on me and many other players, not just because he played at OU. It was the way he played and the kind of person he was.
"In the past 30 years and in the next 30 years, there might be quarterbacks who do it as well as Steve Davis. But, none will do it better."
Those mid-1970s OU teams had a remarkable amount of talent. However, the Sooners won because Davis knew how to win games. When the games were tight, Davis knew how to calmly lead.
They're the same type of attributes other successful quarterbacks in our state over the past decade have shown.
"Brandon Weeden was a great leader," said OSU coach Mike Gundy. "He was a terrific player but a big part of that was his ability to lead our team.
"He was older but guys on our team followed his lead. He was cool and calm in the huddle."
That was Davis.
Blankenship, a former quarterback himself, knows there are many facets to a great quarterback. Yes, the ability to throw is big. So is learning how to make people miss and getting yards when plays break down.
But, perhaps most important, is the ability to lead. It is the ability to be calm and in control.
"That's why I'm so excited about Cody (Green) this year," said Blankenship. "I look at him and think he is a completely different guy.
"He is just so much more comfortable and confident. I think he has really benefitted from being out there with this group of guys for 14 games last year. There is a trust factor."
All quarterbacks must have the trust and confidence of their teammates. It is a part of the equation.
Without that trust, and the ability to be calm in the face of adversity, then a strong arm may not mean much.
Josh Heupel was one of those guys.
He quarterbacked Oklahoma to an undefeated season and the 2000 National Championship. He's now offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at OU.
Although Heupel was known for his deadly-accurate throws, his arm was not considered strong enough to play in the NFL. He went straight into coaching.
Heupel's arm may not have been big league but his leadership skills were legendary. It is a virtue he hopes to pass a long to OU's quarterbacks of the future.
"When you've have a guy that has been quarterback here then you want them to carry themselves as a leader," said Heupel. "That's a part of the deal.
"It is about the command of the huddle they have. So, when you have young quarterbacks like us, they have the opportunity to step up and lead and you are always watching for that. As they get more experience, you will see them have more command of the team because they know so much more about what we're doing."
Original Print Headline: Steve Davis defined how to be a quarterback
