Oklahoma to honor Cumby, Brown during Ole Miss game

Oklahoma will recognize former Sooners George Cumby and Sonny Brown during Saturday’s home game against Ole Miss, celebrating their upcoming inductions into separate halls of fame. Cumby’s ceremony is scheduled for halftime, while Brown will be honored during a first-quarter timeout.

Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer and Hall of Fame teammates will participate in both recognitions. No. 19/17 Ole Miss enters at 6-3 overall and 4-3 in SEC play, while Oklahoma is 5-4 and 3-3.

Cumby, who played for the Sooners from 1975-79, will become the 25th Oklahoma player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the sixth consecutive defender. His formal induction is set for Dec. 8, 2026, during the National Football Foundation’s annual awards dinner in Las Vegas.

Originally a running back and part-time kick returner in Oklahoma’s Wishbone offense, Cumby moved to linebacker before the 1977 season. He earned first-team All-Big Eight honors in each of his final three seasons. The conference named him defensive newcomer of the year in 1977 and defensive player of the year in 1978 and 1979.

Cumby finished with 437 tackles, then second in program history. He played defense for only three seasons. His 32 career tackles in bowl games remain an Oklahoma record.

Brown, an Oklahoma defensive back from 1982-86, will become the 17th former Sooner inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. His induction will take place Jan. 14, 2027, at the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Across three consecutive Orange Bowl appearances, Brown recorded 13 tackles, five interceptions and seven pass breakups. His five interceptions remain Oklahoma’s career bowl record. Brown intercepted two passes and earned defensive MVP honors in the Sooners’ 25-10 victory over Penn State on Jan. 1, 1986, a win that secured Oklahoma’s sixth AP national championship.

Saturday’s game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

Why it matters

The ceremonies connect Oklahoma’s SEC present with two major chapters from the Switzer era. Cumby’s position change produced a Hall of Fame linebacker career, while Brown’s five Orange Bowl interceptions remain an Oklahoma bowl record.

What to watch next

Oklahoma hosts Ole Miss on Saturday before Cumby’s Dec. 8 College Football Hall of Fame induction and Brown’s Jan. 14, 2027, Orange Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony.