This post originally appeared in the Blotch section of the Fort Worth Weekly's website. To consume it there: https://www.fwweekly.com/2018/08/28/sports-rush-toby-keith-on-softball-charity-and-unusual-names/
Toby Keith loves sports. As we chatted after the video interview that is the centerpiece of this blog post, a replay of a college football game appeared on his bus’s TV screen. The country music legend said he couldn’t wait for the season to get underway. Keith buys a suite for University of Oklahoma’s home football games, but said he often spends much of the game on the sidelines, where Sooner players might actually hear his booming voice shouting words of encouragement (with visiting players hearing the opposite).
Keith will also attend the game against the Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in October, but he’s going to come in a couple of days early, in part out of passion for the Sooners. Keith has recruited a number of former Oklahoma athletes to play softball against a group of former Longhorns on Thursday, October 4th at Frisco’s Dr Pepper Ballpark.
In addition to football and, for a day at least, softball, Keith loves professional baseball (he’s a lifelong Dodgers fan) and college basketball (he gets good seats for Sooners hoops games). He’s also truly passionate about one of the beneficiaries of the Red River Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Sewell: his Toby Keith Foundation. In the interview, he explains about the nonprofit’s mission to fund a facility serving families of hospitalized children in Oklahoma City. He also offers insight on what to look for at the softball game (don’t expect a pitcher’s duel).
Rush Olson has spent more than two decades directing creative efforts for sports teams and broadcasters. He currently creates ad campaigns, television programs, and related creative projects for sports entities through Rush Olson Creative & Sports, Mint Farm Films, and FourNine Productions.
