The University of Oklahoma granted the late Toby Keith a posthumous honorary degree. The music icon's daughter, Krystal Keith, was present to accept the honor on her father's behalf.
According to Krystal, her father learned about receiving the honor before he passed away.
"Toby learned he would be receiving an honorary degree from @uofoklahoma last fall, and yesterday, @krystalkeith accepted it on his behalf at the commencement ceremony. Congratulations to all of the OU graduates!" Toby's Instagram page posted a carousel of photos from the graduation ceremony on May 12, 2024.
Separately, University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr. also shared the announcement on his X, formerly Twitter, account.
"So incredibly grateful to Tricia and Krystal Keith for joining us Saturday to celebrate the impact and legacy of @tobykeith with an honorary degree from @UofOklahoma. Miss you and each and every day, TK.," he tweeted, revealing that Tricia Keith, Toby's surviving wife, was in attendance too.
Rolling Stone reported that Toby and the University of Oklahoma have had quite a relationship, as all his children attended and graduated from the university. Similarly, Harroz also paid a touching tribute to the musician when he passed away in February 2024.
"Throughout his illustrious career, he remained rooted in his Oklahoma upbringing, choosing to live in the state that shaped him and giving back generously to his fellow Oklahomans. His philanthropic efforts, from raising millions for children battling cancer to supporting tornado victims, exemplified his unwavering commitment to his roots and his compassion for others," Harroz said in a tribute. "As a lifelong Sooner, Toby's passion for the crimson and cream made him a cherished figure within Sooner Nation, where he proudly shared his love for the university and its community."
At 62, Toby succumbed to a longtime battle with stomach cancer in February 2024.
"I am shattered. As great as he was in his career, he was so much greater as a dad and a husband and a Pop Pop. He was my hero," Keith's daughter, Krystal, wrote on Instagram. "I am so lucky to have had him and so grateful he got to walk me down the aisle and meet my babies."
Speaking to TMZ Sports, former NFL quarterback Brett Favre claimed that at the end, he believed that Toby was "just tired."
"He did say that to me when we had our conversation, he said, 'Brett... whatever happens, I'm okay with it.'" he told the outlet.
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