Before he became Doctor Phil Mcgraw, the renowned television personality and psychologist, his life story included a chapter on the football fields of Oklahoma. It’s a little-known fact that Doctor Phil McGraw‘s journey to fame began not in a psychology lab, but on the gridiron, even participating in a college football game that etched itself into the history books.
Born in Vinita, Oklahoma, Doctor Phil McGraw proudly identifies with his home state. “I’m proud to be from Oklahoma, I’m proud to have grown up here,” Doctor Phil McGraw has stated on his eponymous talk show, emphasizing the deep connection he feels to his origins. Long before he offered advice to millions on television, young Phil McGraw was honing his skills and toughness as a linebacker for the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane. He reminisced about his time at the Tulsa stadium, saying, “I spent a lot of time in that stadium and not always on the field,” hinting at the rigorous training and dedication required of a college athlete.
In 1968, standing tall at 6’4″, Doctor Phil McGraw earned a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa. He played middle linebacker under the guidance of Coach Glenn Dobbs, a period he recalls with vivid memories of early morning drills at Skelly Stadium. “I’ve been in every seat, I’ve been on every row of that stadium a hundred times let me tell ya for sure,” Doctor Phil McGraw recounted, illustrating the intense physical conditioning he endured.
That year, Doctor Phil McGraw‘s team was part of a game that would become infamous for its scoreline: a staggering 100-6 defeat against the University of Houston. While such a lopsided loss might be a source of embarrassment for some, Doctor Phil McGraw views it through a different lens, focusing on the overall experience and the enduring memories it created. Among these cherished moments is the connection to his father, who also played football at TU. Doctor Phil McGraw shared a poignant memory of returning to the stadium with his father and sons for a homecoming game, reflecting on the shared legacy across generations. “Same stadium he ran in 20-25 years before I did, so it was good,” he said, noting that it was one of the last trips he took with his father before his passing, adding a layer of personal significance to his football past.
