Seizing the moment, a story on Warren the Cowboy

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu

Spears & Sports Blog

The Business Blog that keeps you in the game and up to date with everything OSU sports

In sports and in business, we are all given opportunities to shine and seize the moment. Whether it is making the game-winning shot, hitting a walk-off home run or catching the game-sealing interception. All throughout sports, we are given opportunities to seize the moment and make a play to leave a legacy that can transcend a lifetime.

The same goes for business. Whether that is closing a big deal, nailing a presentation or getting our dream job, both sports and business are full of opportunities to seize the moment to make a play and leave a legacy. That is precisely what OSU’s newest hype man and fan favorite, Warren the Cowboy, did.

By now most of us are pretty aware of who Warren the Cowboy is. If you aren’t, then I implore you to look up “Warren the Cowboy viral video” and you will not only be educated but you will also be entertained. While that video is amazing it still doesn’t explain how Warren the Cowboy got to be one of OSU’s most notable figures and recognizable faces.

So how did Warren Clay become Warren the Cowboy and become a face at OSU?

The answer is simple: Warren seized the moment. Warren had the opportunity to be the Pistol Pete Partner of the Game at the Cowboys game against Kansas last season. Essentially the Pistol Pete Partner is where the Cowboys host a young enthusiastic fan, a kid, to cheer on the Cowboys and get everyone hyped, alongside Les Thomas, the official hype man of OSU.

This opportunity came about partly due to Warren’s older brother, Collin Clay, being a part of the OSU football team. This segment of the game is super wholesome and a cute moment for the fan base. Warren’s moment to say something to all the Cowboy fans would be described a little bit differently than wholesome. Warren’s moment in the spotlight was the definition of HYPE.

If you were at the game, you know exactly what I am talking about. Les gave his infamous pitch saying, “Now my buddy Warren got something to say to all you Cowboy fans.” And that’s when Warren Clay became Warren the Cowboy. Warren seized his moment and belted, “OOOOOOO-SSSSS-UUUUUU Cooooooowwwwwwwbbbbbooooooyyyyysss!” with all his might and swagger. I still remember just being so caught off guard and going crazy in the student section. Boone Pickens Stadium was electrified by the energy of Warren and it sparked the Cowboy fans to bring the rowdy the rest of the game helping root the Cowboys to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks 55-3. 

If you have watched the video or you were at the game that night you know Warren seized his moment in sports. However, the reason I am writing a blog post on Warren and why he is still talked about today is because Warren and his family seized the moment on the business side of things as well.

Following the game, the video of Warren firing up the crowd blew up all over social media and Warren got a ton of attention. Including being on Cowboy Football's social media final score graphic. The Clay family and Warren had an opportunity to use this traction to help build a brand of what now is Warren the Cowboy. From special appearances, autograph signings and even hanging out at exclusive OSU events, Warren is now a face everyone knows if you are around or involved in anything OSU. Warren and his family have been working on plenty of projects to help promote and build his brand to bring in business.

How cool is that? That a 5-year-old kid and his family are doing business simply based on their love for OSU. I am frankly a little jealous. 

As a result of the Clay family’s hard work and Warren's incredible personality, it seems safe to say that Warren the Cowboy is now an Oklahoma State staple and phenomenon. Warren will be in Cowboy history for quite some time. He is doing a great job already when it comes to business. Who knows, maybe someday he will end up at the Spears School of Business someday to grow his skills and seize the moment.

You can keep up with Warren on social media platforms by following @warrenthecowboy on Instagram and Facebook and @officalwarrenthecowboy on TikTok. Warren and the Clay family are incredible, and I am so excited to see where this journey leads. However, I think there is more to learn from his story. I think what we can learn is that whether it is sports, business or everyday life, we should dream big and seize every moment we have so we can leave a legacy that transcends a lifetime.

Story By: Dalton Wolf | dalton.wolf10@okstate.edu