More than two decades after its release, Many Men (Wish Death) has found a powerful second life inside one of college football’s most iconic stadiums.
On Friday night, the track took centre stage during a College Football Playoff showdown when 50 Cent appeared live at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The performance unfolded moments before the fourth quarter of Oklahoma’s postseason clash with the Alabama Crimson Tide, instantly transforming a growing home tradition into a national spectacle.
How ‘Many Men’ Became Oklahoma’s Fourth-Quarter Anthem
This season, “Many Men (Wish Death)” has evolved into Oklahoma’s official fourth-quarter rallying cry, played between the third and fourth quarters at Owen Field. The tradition began as a player-driven effort to create a defining home-field moment in Norman.
Veteran linebacker Kobie McKinzie publicly pushed the idea weeks earlier, urging the program to establish a fourth-quarter identity that could rival the intensity of hostile road environments.
Oklahoma brought out 50 Cent to perform "Many Men" at the beginning of the 4th quarter 🔥
Ty Simpson knew every word 😭 pic.twitter.com/s9Eeq7q9Ht
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 20, 2025That vision first came to life during Oklahoma’s 17–6 win over Missouri. A cinematic hype video, narrated by former All-American linebacker Curtis Lofton, debuted on the videoboard. The presentation leaned into the team’s “Hard to Kill” mantra, drawing inspiration from Gladiator, a film frequently referenced inside the Sooners’ locker room.
When “Many Men” followed, the sideline erupted. Players responded with renewed energy and closed out the game with authority.
The following week, the ritual returned against LSU, this time with narration from legendary former head coach Barry Switzer, further cementing the tradition within the program’s culture.
A Playoff Moment That Went National
Friday night elevated the ritual to an entirely new level. As the fourth quarter approached, 50 Cent appeared first on the videoboard with a recorded message before stepping onto the field to perform live. The moment drew deafening reactions from the crowd and immediate national attention.
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Notably, the hype transcended team lines. Alabama players appeared energized by the scene, with quarterback Ty Simpson visibly mouthing the lyrics, underscoring the song’s cultural reach beyond rivalries.
Impact on the Game
Oklahoma, seeded eighth, surged to a 17–0 lead before allowing Alabama to score 27 unanswered points. Trailing 27–17 entering the fourth quarter, the Sooners needed a spark.
Quarterback John Mateer delivered one, connecting with Deion Burks on a 37-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 27–24. For a moment, belief surged inside the stadium as the fourth-quarter tradition appeared to work its magic.
Alabama ultimately regained control. After trading punts, the Crimson Tide extended the lead when Daniel Hill powered in a six-yard touchdown run, sealing a 34–24 victory.
The win sent Alabama on to the Rose Bowl to face the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Still, Oklahoma’s fourth-quarter ritual, capped by a live 50 Cent performance, ensured the night would be remembered far beyond the final score.
