Texas Longhorns Football

While the University of Texas decided it will keep "The Eyes of Texas" as the school's alma mater, officials said they plan to rename the football field after Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell.

The announcement was made in an open letter to Longhorn Nation by University of Texas interim president Jay Hartzell and co-signed by other high-ranking officials at the school.

"During the past month, I have listened to—and spoken with—scores of students about how The University of Texas at Austin can promote diversity, inclusion and equity and fully support our Black students," Hartzell wrote.

Black students make up just 5.1 percent of the school's student body, and the letter announced a number of initiatives to promote more diversity and inclusion.

In addition to renaming Joe Jamail Field at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium—which was suggested by the Jamail family—Texas will build a statue of Julius Whittier at the stadium.

Whittier was the first Black football letterman for the Longhorns.

The decision is notable because University of Texas student-athletes, including members of the football team, requested a number of changes in June that included renaming part of the stadium after Whittier.

Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington shared the requests that also called for the school to remove "The Eyes of Texas" as the alma mater:

Dave Wilson of ESPN noted that "'The Eyes of Texas,' which is played before and after every Longhorns football game, has come under scrutiny in recent years because it was first performed in a minstrel show, which featured blackface performances, in 1903."

However, Hartzell's letter said the song will remain as the alma mater in the current form.

He called for the student body, alumni and those associated with the school to "own, acknowledge and teach about all aspects of the origins of 'The Eyes of Texas' as we continue to sing it moving forward with a redefined vision that unites our community."

As for the two star running backs who the football field will be renamed after, Williams played at Texas from 1995 through 1998, and Campbell was there from 1974 through 1977. They each won the Heisman Trophy, with Campbell taking it home in 1977 and Williams prevailing in 1998.

Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is stepping away from football to become an advocate in the fight for social justice.  

Overshown wrote on Twitter that "until real action is taken and changes are made I will be sitting out all team activities," and added he "can not continue to perform for a program that doesn't show me the same love and support I do for them."

The statement comes in the wake of a group of Texas student-athletes from seven different sports banding together to ask the school to change the names of some campus buildings bearing names of known racists and replace "The Eyes of Texas" as the official fight song, among other demands.

Overshown specifically cited the work done by Maya Moore since she put her WNBA career with the Minnesota Lynx on hold last year as an inspiration to him. 

Moore helped get Jonathan Irons' 1998 conviction on burglary and assault charges overturned after he spent 22 years in prison. He was released from prison on Wednesday. 

Overshown is entering his junior year at the University of Texas. He has played in 17 games for the Longhorns over the past two seasons and ranked fourth on the team with seven tackles for loss in 2019. 

The family of former Texas guard and tight end Julius Whittier—the Longhorns' first Black football player—is suing the NCAA for negligence and wrongful death, according to David Barron of the Houston Chronicle.

They are seeking damages of over $1 million.

The family is contending in the lawsuit that Whittier's death—he died in 2018 at the age of 68 and had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease—was from head trauma that dated back to his football career. A postmortem examination of his brain revealed that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. 

Houston attorney Eugene Egdorf said the family's goal in the lawsuit was to provide justice and to promote awareness: 

"Julius Whittier was a pioneer who became a lawyer and a member of the district attorney's staff in Dallas County, and his life was about justice. His family wants to carry on in his name and hope that we can make changes. We don't want to end football. We just want to make it as safe as possible and make sure that everybody is informed about what can happen. That has not been the case historically, and we want to change that."

Whittier spent three seasons with the Longhorns (1970-72). He caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in the 1972 campaign. After his playing days, he became an attorney in Dallas. Per Barron, "he began suffering from behavioral changes in 2008 that led to the end of his legal career in 2012 and was transferred in 2016 to a memory care facility."

"He continually spoke of how he was trained to block, using his head," his sister, Mildred Whittier, said in 2017. "For someone who was as brilliant and as vital as my brother, it's just sad."

The lawsuit argues that Whitter suffered numerous sub-concussive blows during his time at Texas, both in games and on the practice field. 

The University of Texas announced Thursday that a total of 13 football players have tested positive for COVID-19.

All 13 are now self-isolating, while 10 others who came into contact with them are self-quarantining. Four other players tested positive for the antibody test.

Texas football players returned to campus June 8 to begin workouts June 15. A second group of players arrived on campus June 15 and will begin workouts June 22.

The school highlighted its safety measures in a video, including masks inside the building and use of hand sanitizer:

According to Chip Brown of 247Sports, about 67 student-athletes arrived as part of Group 1 on June 8, while 49 students were part of Group 2 coming a week later.

While the college football season remains on track to begin as scheduled, several teams have seen high rates of COVID-19 upon returning to campus.

Houston suspended activities after six players tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to Simone Eli of CBS42, at least five Alabama players tested positive, while 50 players were on the field together and "should" be quarantined.

Texas is scheduled to play its first game Sept. 5 against South Florida.

Texas linebacker Juwan Mitchell released a statement on Twitter Wednesday saying he does not "feel comfortable representing The University of Texas": 

Mitchell followed up with another tweet:

Mitchell is one of many Longhorn student-athletes who have spoken out against racism and social injustice in recent days. He is also one of a few football players who have either said or implied that their days at Texas are over. 

Of note, Texas wideout Brennan Eagles said that he is "not going to play another snap knowing what's going in society due to color and the system being broken."

Defensive back Anthony Cook also said he would not play another snap but deleted his tweet, per Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman.

Mitchell's comments come days after Longhorn athletes (including members of the football team) sent a list of requests to the school administration and athletic department that included renaming buildings named after racist historical figures, removing the statue of segregationist James Hogg and replacing the school song, "The Eyes of Texas."

Texas wideout Jordan Whittington posted the letter:

In addition, dozens of football players and coaches also marched from Royal-Memorial Stadium to the state Capitol on June 4, per Davis:

"Call it whatever you want—a George Floyd rally or a Black Lives Matter protest. The name ascribed to this gathering doesn't particularly matter. It was without question a heartfelt expression of anger from mostly black athletes who are sick and tired of being targeted or judged simply by the color of their skin," Davis wrote.

Athletic director Chris Del Conte issued the following statement in his "Forty Acres Insider" newsletter, per Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News:

"We love our student-athletes, care so much, and what's important to them is important for me to hear, even when it's a difficult conversation. We will begin meeting with them very soon and will have meaningful discussions.

"We understand they will not be easy nor are the solutions simple. But it's imperative that we take time to listen, talk with one another and develop plans of action in order to continue to make the experience better for the entire Longhorn Family going forward."

Carlton reported that Del Conte and UT President Jay Hartzell met with members of the football team recently.

Numerous Longhorn alumni have expressed their support for current Longhorns, per Paul Livengood of KVUE, including ex-NFL running back Jamaal Charles, USA softball player and Olympian Cat Osterman and ex-linebacker Derrick Johnson.

Several members of the Texas Longhorns football team have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. 

Per Rivals' Anwar Richardson, six members of the program tested positive, and around 15 players are in quarantine. 

The school announced last week that two players out of 58 who returned to campus as part of the screening process tested positive for COVID-19 and went into self-isolation.

A third player tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody, indicating the player previously had the virus and has developed some level of immunity from future infection to it. 

Texas has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases as the state has started to reopen. Governor Greg Abbott announced 2,622 new confirmed cases Tuesday, the state's highest increase since the pandemic began. 

The University of Houston announced Friday it was immediately suspending voluntary workouts when six student-athletes tested positive for the virus after they experienced symptoms.

Monday marked the first day Longhorns players were allowed on campus to take part in voluntary workouts at Denius Fields.

University of Texas student-athletes, including members of the football team, have made a list of requests to the school's administration and athletic department that include removing "The Eyes of Texas" as the school song, renaming buildings named after racist and segregationist historical figures and donating to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington shared the team's open letter and entire list of requests:

The letter also explains why the changes are being requested, noting the following in part:

"As ambassadors, it is our duty to utilize our voice and role as leaders in the community to push for change to the benefit of the entire UT community.

"The recent events across the country regarding racial injustice have brought to light the systemic racism that has always been prevalent in our country as well as the racism that has historically plagued our campus.

"Our athletic department released a statement acknowledging these injustices and publicly supported the rights of student athletes using their voices to make change. We, as student athletes, and collectively as the University of Texas Longhorn football team, are aware that we are an athletic department made up of many black athletes, and believe that it is time we become active on our campus."

Per the letter, the athletes will not participate in donor events or host recruits without "an official commitment from the university."

The Longhorn athletes have committed to working out and undergoing team activities as usual but have requested a "plan for implementation" prior to the fall semester, which is scheduled to begin with classes on August 26.

As ESPN's Dave Wilson noted, the issue regarding "The Eyes of Texas" stems from it being first used at a 1903 minstrel show that featured blackface performances.

The buildings mentioned are as follows: Robert Lee Moore Hall, Painter Hall, Littlefield Hall and James Hogg Auditorium.

The team also asked for the school's athletic department to donate 0.5 percent of its annual earnings to black organizations and the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman, that percentage would equal about $1.1 million from the school's $223.9 million revenue base per the latest audit.

The football team has also asked that a portion of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium be named after Julius Whittier, who was the Longhorns' first black varsity player.

Per the Associated Press, the offensive lineman and tight end played for three Southwestern Conference-winning teams from 1970-1972, earned a law degree and became a criminal prosecutor for Dallas County. He died in 2018 at the age of 68.

The team's requests come amid the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody on May 25.

Video showed a white officer named Derek Chauvin pressing his knee on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, for nearly nine minutes. Floyd later died at a nearby hospital.

Worldwide protests have occurred following the death of Floyd in support of changes to eliminate systemic racism and police brutality.

University of Texas defensive back B.J. Foster suffered a self-inflicted hand injury as a result of punching the bumper on his car. 

According to Anwar Richardson of Rivals.com, Texas head football coach Tom Herman said Foster punched his bumper out of frustration when he discovered it was damaged and no one had left a note. As a result, Foster fractured his hand and is in a cast.

Foster is set to enter his junior season and is coming off a sophomore campaign in 2019 that saw him appear in nine games and make eight starts at cornerback.

The Angleton, Texas, native finished last season with 35 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and one pass defended. The nickel corner's numbers were down compared to his freshman year in 2018 when he registered 46 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pick, five passes defended and two forced fumbles in three additional games.

Foster is a versatile defensive back who can be deployed in a number of different spots. He can play inside and outside at corner and is also good around the line of scrimmage as a tackler with his 6'2", 205-pound frame.

There is some uncertainty whether the 2020 college football season will start on time because of the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that it has significantly impacted preparation.

Regardless of when the season starts, the Longhorns will be without a key player on their defense if Foster doesn't heal in time. Should that be the case, look for Anthony Cook and Jalen Green to start at corner while a multitude of players provide depth.

Texas finished with a somewhat disappointing 8-5 record last season primarily because it ranked 65th in the nation in scoring defense with 27.5 points allowed per game.

With quarterback Sam Ehlinger back for his senior season, there are high hopes surrounding the Longhorns, but the defense could struggle to make the necessary improvements if Foster is sidelined for long.

Two Texas Longhorns football players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 as 58 players returned to an otherwise student-less campus prior to voluntary workouts.  

ESPN reported the news, noting a third player tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. 

On Thursday, Texas head coach Tom Herman spoke to a potential cause of the positive tests, and noted he wasn't worried about an outbreak on his team, per Danny Davis of The Statesman: 

One of the three players was tested prior to arriving on campus because he showed symptoms during pre-screening, while the other two were tested on campus. The two who tested positive are self-isolating.

Nick Moyle of the San Antonio Express-News noted the players arrived to kickstart the "on-boarding process" in preparation for the voluntary workouts that are allowed to start on Monday, per Big 12 guidelines.

From there, the second phase will feature players living on campus.

"The on-going first phase on-boarding program consists of a robust screening process that includes COVID-19 testing, physicals and questionnaires," Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a newsletter. "Mandatory physicals, daily screening and COVID-19 safety education/training conducted by Dr. James Bray and our Sports Medicine staff also must be completed before student-athletes may begin the second phase workout program."

As of Wednesday, there have been more than 7.3 million confirmed cases and 416,000 deaths from COVID-19 across the world.

University of Texas Longhorns football players and head coach Tom Herman marched alongside Austin Police Department personnel for about a mile to the Texas State Capitol on Thursday:

Herman has been vocal about racial injustice since the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after since-fired officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the back of his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds:

One of Herman's strongest statements came in a conversation with Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman:  

"There's a double standard maybe a little bit. We're going to pack 100,000 people into DKR and millions watch on TV that are predominantly white — not all of them certainly, but most of 'em white. We're gonna cheer when they score touchdowns, and we're gonna hug our buddy when they get sacks or an interception.

"But we gonna let them date our daughter? Are we going to hire them in a position of power in our company? That's the question I have for America. You can't have it both ways.

"And if you're going to cheer them and love them for three-and-a-half hours a Saturday in the fall, you better have the same feelings for them off the field, because they're human beings. They deserve the same amount of respect and human rights that all of us do in this country when we agreed on the social contract to be a member of the United States."

Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger posted a video supporting Black Lives Matter over the weekend while wide receiver Brennan Eagles addressed the issue Wednesday:

On Wednesday, the University of Missouri football team participated in a protest similar to the Longhorns':

Protests have been underway in all 50 states since Floyd's killing, condemning police brutality and racial injustice.

Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on May 29. The three other officers were first charged Wednesday with aiding and abetting while Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder.