Rivalry Renewed: Baker Mayfield Fires Back at Texas Longhorns
A fiery rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns has been reignited, with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield at the center of it all. After a dominating 51-27 win over the New Orleans Saints, Mayfield addressed the recent actions of Texas linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Barryn Sorrell, who planted a Longhorns flag on his old college jersey.
A History of Disdain
Mayfield’s dislike for the Longhorns is well-documented. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, he was snubbed by the University of Texas during recruitment. This perceived slight has fueled his determination to beat the Longhorns on the field. In 2018, Mayfield told reporters, “You come to Oklahoma to beat Texas… I can’t stand them, in anything they do.”
A Flag-Planting Frenzy
The recent incident involving Mayfield’s jersey is not an isolated event. In 2017, Mayfield ran across Ohio Stadium with the Sooners flag, planting it midfield after a win over Ohio State. It appears that the Longhorns players were attempting to channel Mayfield’s own behavior, but with a twist. By targeting his jersey, they aimed to send a message that Texas fears nobody.
Mayfield’s Response
When asked about the incident, Mayfield fired back, saying, “[I’m] just a kid from Austin, Texas that went to Oklahoma, won his last two Red River games and being rent free in their heads for almost a decade.” His words suggest that the rivalry is far from over, and Mayfield is more than happy to occupy the attention of Texas players and fans.
A Special Rivalry
For Mayfield, the Red River Rivalry is more than just a game. It’s personal. He has a history of delivering clutch performances against the Longhorns, including a 59-yard go-ahead touchdown in 2017. With his recent comments, Mayfield has ensured that the rivalry will continue to simmer, awaiting the next matchup between these two bitter foes.
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