In the latest chapter of the Red River rivalry, Texas emerged victorious over Mayfield’s alma mater, Oklahoma, with a dominant 34-3 win. The Longhorns players celebrated their triumph in a unique way, showcasing that Mayfield’s presence still haunts Austin despite not having played in the rivalry for years.
During the heated game at the Cotton Bowl, Texas’ “Texas Cowboys” took the theatrics up a notch by using a cannonball to blast through a symbolic piece of history: Mayfield’s No. 6 Oklahoma jersey. This symbolic gesture seemed to release years of pent-up frustration for the Longhorns.
After the game, Texas linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Barryn Sorrell carried the shredded jersey onto the field and planted a Longhorns flag on top of it at midfield. This bold move was seen as a direct jab at Oklahoma’s past and possibly a taunt aimed at Mayfield himself.
Anthony Hill Jr. defended the action by saying, “I saw what they [Oklahoma] did last year, so I just wanted to get a little payback.” His reference to previous social media posts added more spice to the fierce matchup between the two teams.
Despite the attempt to get under his skin, Mayfield appeared unfazed by the stunt when asked about it after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the New Orleans Saints. With his trademark confidence, Mayfield joked about the incident, highlighting his victories in the Red River games during his time at Oklahoma.
While Mayfield didn’t shy away from rivalry drama during his college days, the Longhorns’ focus on him even years after his departure raises questions about why he continues to occupy their minds. It’s clear that Mayfield, now a successful NFL quarterback, has moved on from his college days, but Texas seems to be stuck in the past.
For many Longhorns fans, Mayfield remains a villain, and the recent stunt with his jersey only solidified his legacy in the rivalry. Whether on the field or off, Mayfield’s shadow looms large over one of college football’s most iconic rivalries, leaving the Longhorns with the lingering question of how long they will keep his name in their crosshairs.
