Former Oklahoma Star Looney Dies After Motorcycle Goes Out of Control

Joe Don Looney, former star running back at the University of Oklahoma, who played briefly in the National Football League, was killed Saturday morning when his motorcycle went out of control near Study Butte, Tex.

Looney, 45, of Irvine, Tex., whose occupation was listed as a carpenter, was heading south on Highway 118 in the western part of Texas when his 1981 motorcycle failed to make a turn and went off the road.

He was pronounced dead three hours after the accident by Justice of the Peace Ron Willard of Study Butte.

Looney, 6 feet 2 inches and 235 pounds, had a stormy career. He was thrown off the Oklahoma team by Coach Bud Wilkinson shortly after helping the Sooners beat USC, 17-12, at the Coliseum in 1963. He was Oklahoma’s leading ground gainer with 62 yards in 12 carries.

After playing for several NFL teams, he wandered about the world taking odd jobs.