Oklahoma Sooners Football: Southwest to Honor Winchester with Flyover at Bedlam

The University of Oklahoma has announced a flyover in honor of the late Mike Winchester, who was shot and killed at Will Rogers World Airport on Nov. 15. Winchester was Oklahoma’s starting punter during the 1985 National Championship season, and his son, James, was OU’s deep snapper from 2009-11 and currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Winchester also had two daughters who were athletes at OU.

Weather permitting, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 passenger jet will fly over the stadium following the national anthem. Winchester was an employee of Southwest Airlines working in Oklahoma City at the time of his death.

I’ve seen a lot of cool flyovers during my life, but this one will hold quite a bit of significance for OU fans. The Winchester family has left their mark on the university, and OU community clearly means a lot to them, as well. I’m glad OU is doing this, because Mike and his family definitely deserve a tribute.

Unfortunately, the forecasted weather could throw a wrench into the plans, so let’s hope it works out.