The Red River Rivalry may have ended on the scoreboard, but the real fireworks began long after the final whistle, with one particular name making headlines despite not stepping foot on the field-Baker Mayfield.
Though it’s been years since Mayfield last wore Oklahoma’s crimson and cream, it appears his presence is still looming large in Austin. Following Texas’ dominant 34-3 victory over Oklahoma, the Longhorns players took an unusual victory lap that had Mayfield’s name written all over it-literally.
Midway through the heated rivalry at the Cotton Bowl, Texas’ infamous “Texas Cowboys” brought more than just their usual theatrics. They took aim at a symbolic piece of history, using a cannonball to blast through Mayfield’s No. 6 Oklahoma jersey, seemingly taking out years of frustration in the process.
As if the theatrics weren’t enough, the real show came after the game. Texas linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Barryn Sorrell made a statement by carrying the jersey onto the field and planting a Longhorns flag atop it at midfield-a not-so-subtle dig at Oklahoma’s past and perhaps a jab at Mayfield himself.
While some saw the move as a playful homage to the intense rivalry, others questioned why Mayfield-who hasn’t played in this rivalry for seven years-was still living “rent-free” in Texas’ head. After all, Mayfield is now leading the charge as the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL, yet he continues to be the focus of the Longhorns’ frustrations.
Anthony Hill Jr., who played a leading role in the postgame gesture, explained his reasoning. “I saw what they [Oklahoma] did last year, so I just wanted to get a little payback,” he said. His comments referenced Oklahoma’s past social media posts, adding another layer of drama to an already fierce matchup.
Despite the attempt to get under his skin, Mayfield didn’t seem phased when asked about the stunt following the Buccaneers’ win over the New Orleans Saints the next day. The former Heisman winner responded with his trademark confidence, poking fun at the Longhorns in the process.
“Just a kid from Austin, Texas, who went to Oklahoma and won his last two Red River games. Still rent-free after all these years,” Mayfield laughed when addressing the jersey incident.
It’s worth noting that Mayfield didn’t exactly shy away from stirring up his own brand of rivalry drama during his college days. From planting the Sooners’ flag in enemy territory to taking jabs at his opponents, Mayfield made a name for himself by embracing the intensity of these matchups. However, with two wins against Texas under his belt and a Heisman Trophy on his mantle, it’s clear Mayfield has moved on-even if Texas hasn’t.
For Texas, it might be time to turn the page, but for many Longhorns fans, Mayfield remains the ultimate villain. The stunt was a clear indication that, despite his absence from college football, his legacy in this rivalry isn’t fading anytime soon.
As the dust settles from this year’s Red River showdown, the message is clear: whether on the field or off, Baker Mayfield still casts a long shadow over one of college football’s most iconic rivalries. The only question now is how much longer the Longhorns will keep his name in their crosshairs.
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