BREAKING NEWS: Epic Moment as Oklahoma Sooners Legend Rocky Calmus Finally Gets Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Marking It the Second Most Anticipated Induction in Recent History
In a moment that has thrilled Oklahoma Sooners fans and college football enthusiasts nationwide, legendary linebacker Rocky Calmus has finally received the long-awaited honor of being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The announcement came early Friday morning, sending waves of excitement across the college football community. Calmus, known for his gritty play, leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence, now joins an elite group of gridiron greats as a member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
This induction is particularly special, as it comes more than two decades after Calmus terrorized offenses across the country during his storied career at Oklahoma. The anticipation surrounding his potential enshrinement has made this one of the most talked-about inductions in recent years—second only, perhaps, to that of Tim Tebow in 2023. For fans who followed the Sooners during the early 2000s, this moment is nothing short of vindication.
Calmus played for Oklahoma from 1998 to 2001 and was instrumental in leading the Sooners to their 2000 National Championship victory under head coach Bob Stoops. Known for his ferocious tackling, football IQ, and unshakable presence on the field, Calmus was a two-time consensus All-American and the recipient of the prestigious Butkus Award in 2001, which honors the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. His legacy was etched not only in stats but in the toughness and resilience he brought to every down.
Teammates, coaches, and fans have long advocated for his Hall of Fame recognition, citing his leadership and impact on the program. Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops reacted to the news with emotion, stating, “Rocky was the heart and soul of our defense. His induction is well-deserved and long overdue. He represents everything great about college football.”
Calmus’ induction also underscores the prominence of Oklahoma’s football tradition, further solidifying the program’s reputation as a cradle of champions. He becomes one of the select few Sooners to be honored in this way, joining the likes of Billy Sims, Lee Roy Selmon, and Brian Bosworth in the Hall of Fame.
The College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be celebrated in a ceremony later this year, and Calmus will take his rightful place among the immortals of the sport. The news has sparked celebration among Sooners faithful, who have waited years to see one of their all-time favorites finally get his due.
For Calmus, who has maintained a quiet post-football life, the honor is both humbling and affirming. “It’s an incredible honor,” he said in a brief statement. “I gave everything I had on that field for my team and my school. To be remembered like this—it means everything.”
Indeed, it is a moment that transcends football—a story of perseverance, legacy, and long-overdue recognition.