Austin grew up in Texas and was raised a Longhorn. His first outfit was a burnt orange jersey and his first word was Bevo. He knew the lyrics to "Texas Fight" from heart by the age of three. It was just assumed that he would attend the University of Texas when he was old enough. His parents both had went to the University of Texas and so did his four brothers and three sisters. Not to mention that was where all his friends were planning on going to college. However, something went wrong and he ended up going to the University of Oklahoma instead. Talk about a fish out of water! He stuck out like an orange thumb, a burnt orange thumb at that.
Image information: Baby Longhorn
Web Source: Fans Edge Site
He tried to make the best out of the situation by trying to fit into his new surroundings. He went to the OU bookstore and bought all kinds of OU paraphernalia. He was decked out in crimson and cream from head to toe. He looked marvelous and was the spitting image of a true Sooner fan. He even learned the words to Boomer Sooner! He was ready to go to his first OU football game; however, when he arrived he was greeted by boos and a sea of inverted hook’em horns signs. One student yelled, “Hey! What are you doing here? You can’t sit with us. You’re an impostor.” Austin looked hurt and replied, “No, I’m a Sooner. Look at all this crimson and cream.” The student section swelled with laughter as another student spoke, “ Well that may be but your burnt orange sweat is mucking up the cream. Plus, I can smell that Longhorn stench a mile away.” Although crushed, Austin was not persuaded to leave the game. He stayed in the stands and took every insult dished out by his fellow classmates. He was bound and determined to become a Sooner or at least pass as one. It took several games but eventually Austin had gained a bit of respect; however, the real test would be the OU/Texas game.
Image information: OU Fan
Web Source: Life Magazine
During the week before the game, the little respect that Austin had earned had diminished and his true allegiance questioned. He tried his hardest to assure his new friends that he was now a Sooner and that his allegiance was to them but few believed him. He was ostracized throughout campus and was even spat upon. This went on all week until it was time to head to Dallas for the big game. Austin had been unsuccessful in scoring tickets but he planned on attending one of his high school friend’s tailgate/watch parties.
Image Information: OU and Texas Fans
Web Source: Sports Illustrated
Austin shocked his friends by showing up wearing all his new OU regalia. His hoodie, hat, pants, socks and other accessories glistened crimson and cream. The host quickly quipped, “Austin, is this some kind of joke? What are you wearing?” Austin just shrugged and said, “ Nope! This is no joke. I am a Sooner.” Another one of his buddies snapped, “ You have the audacity to show up to this party wearing that monstrosity? We wouldn’t even let Santa Claus show up wearing crimson and creme.” Normally, this would ensue a riot but the Longhorns were not interested in contributing to more crimson being displayed. “Austin! You are a Longhorn. Its one thing to masquerade as a Sooner for academic purposes but a complete different thing to do so during OU/Texas game,” said the host, “A Longhorn is a Longhorn is a Longhorn. You can’t just change who you are by draping yourself in those hideous colors.” Austin laughed and replied, “Hideous? Have you seen what you are wearing? You call crimson and cream ugly, yet you sport the ugliest color known to man, burnt orange. I can’t believe my parents use to dress me in that grotesque abomination of a color.” He was immediately dismissed from the party. Still not sure where he belonged, Austin chuckled to himself, “Maybe the Sooners would have an easier time accepting me if I changed my name to Norman.”
