Mayors push Bedlam football revival in mock state legislation

Stillwater's Joyce and Norman's Holman co-authored recommendation at Congress of Mayors, but viral OU Daily video led many to believe proposal was actual state legislation

Chris Peters

Feb 11, 2026 - 4 min read

Oklahoma State players hoist the Bedlam Series trophy after defeating Oklahoma 27-24 on Nov. 4, 2023, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The game marked the final Bedlam football matchup before OU's move to the Southeastern Conference. – Photo by Jerod_Hill/OSU Athletics

Mayors push Bedlam football revival in mock state legislation — Oklahoma State players hoist the Bedlam Series trophy after defeating Oklahoma 27-24 on Nov. 4, 2023, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The game marked the final Bedlam football matchup before OU's move to the Southeastern Conference. – Photo by Jerod_Hill/OSU Athletics

Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce and Norman Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman co-authored mock legislation last week recommending state lawmakers require the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to play each other in football annually, though a viral social media video confused many into thinking the proposal was actual legislation headed to the Oklahoma Legislature.

The mayors drafted the recommendation Feb. 6 during the Mayors Council of Oklahoma's Congress of Mayors, an annual training event where municipal leaders practice legislative processes and develop policy recommendations for state lawmakers.

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