Way back in the old days, locals braced for the invasion of the Longhorns and Sooners to battle it out at the Cotton Bowl for the Red River showdown. It was a remarkable scene in downtown Dallas with a flood of University of Texas burnt orange mixing it up with University of Oklahoma crimson red. The heart of downtown Dallas hotels — the long gone Baker and the Adolphus — braced as if preparing for a major onslaught. As they had been booked ages in advanced, the staffs knew the cleanup would be equally powerful.
While it was all “good spirited” fueled by local parties and restaurants, a whole lot of residents hunkered down as if landlocked Dallas was going to be hit by a hurricane.
Sure, it was great for the celebrants and the establishments benefiting from the the goings-on, but it still cast a bit of a hangover affect for the city mothers and fathers. They loved having the out-of-towners in town spending and taking in the sights, but they still felt a bit like a sorority pledge after a major kegger.
The tipping point came in 1992, when shots rang out after an argument ensued from a fender-bender and 19-year-old Carrollton resident Thomas Crump was fatally shot. Other acts of violence were reported across downtown.
Nowadays, the invasion has transitioned into being more of a Sunday open house, with decorum ruling. No longer do barricades line the streets, nor do the local police brace in SWAT gear.
Instead the Longhorns and Sooners are much desired guests shopping, sipping, supping and sleeping at area hotels.
So, welcome the out-of-towners and the beautiful weather for a great Texas-OU/OU-Texas Saturday.
* Photo credit: Skeeter Hagler