Amidst the fervor of March Madness, an unexpected twist involving NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes has emerged. In a surprising turn of events, Mahomes found himself donning the Texas Longhorns’ mascot attire as part of a bet related to the Thursday night basketball showdown between the Longhorns and the Colorado State Rams in Charlotte. Did you know that Texas was scouting for Mahomes in the 2014 class?
The 28-year-old QB took to his Instagram story, sharing a snapshot of himself in Longhorns mascot Hook ‘Em’s mask, accompanied by a caption that read: “A bet’s a bet… okay Hook ‘Em.” He tagged the Buffalo Bills QB, Shane Buechele, and his wife, Paige Buechele.
The story behind Mahomes’ unconventional attire stems from his alma mater’s affiliation with Texas Tech University, a fierce rival of the Texas Longhorns. As tensions run high during March Madness, Mahomes seems to have found himself on the losing end of a bet, causing him to dress up like the iconic Longhorns mascot, much to the delight of fans and spectators alike.
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Mahomes lost a bet and had to dress up as Longhorns mascot 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VfIRbffUYD
— Don_Frankie (@Don_Frenkie21) March 22, 2024
The mascot, known as Hook ‘Em, has been a symbol of pride for the University of Texas at Austin’s athletic teams since the mid-1970s. Adorned in the iconic Longhorns’ attire, Hook ‘Em attends over 250 university events each season, embodying the spirit of school pride and camaraderie. The famous “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign, created in 1955, further amplifies the university’s rich sporting tradition and fan culture.
Patrick Mahomes has a connection to the Longhorns dating back to 2010 at the time of recruitment around his sophomore year. Mack Brown, then HC of Texas, tried to offer Mahomes a safety position when visiting Austin and working out for the Longhorns.
As Mahomes’ unexpected venture into Longhorns’ attire adds a touch of whimsy to the March Madness spectacle, it underscores the deep-rooted connections and rivalries that define the world of collegiate and professional sports alike.
Longhorns overpower Colorado State Rams in Patrick Mahomes presence
The meeting between the Longhorns and the Rams adds another chapter to the storied history of college basketball rivalries. While the Longhorns boast a rich tradition of success in NCAA basketball, the Rams enter the matchup with their legacy and aspirations. What’s rather a cliche every March couldn’t have been more realistic for the Texan basketball team this Thursday.
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The game between the Longhorns and the Rams was like survive and advance. The No. 7 seeded team in the Midwest region in the NCAA tournament won the opening round of March Madness despite a rather unpleasant start in the first half. Colorado State’s worst performance of the two doubled down on this.
The Longhorns took control early, leading 27-11 at halftime. Although Colorado State rallied in the second half with 33 points, Texas held firm. Dylan Disu and Tyrese Hunter led the way for the Longhorns, scoring 12 and 8 points respectively. Joel Scott paced the Rams with 10 points in the losing effort.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Texas Longhorns defeated the Colorado State Rams 56-44 in the intense matchup. Both teams left it all on the court, but the Longhorns’ grit and talent proved too much for the Rams. This victory secures Texas’ spot in the tournament and showcases their unwavering determination.
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Interestingly, the connection between Texas and Colorado State extends to the realm of football, with NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes serving as a bridge between the two universities. As a former standout at Texas Tech University, Mahomes’ mascot look indeed brought a unique feel to the matchup, adding an extra layer of intrigue for fans familiar with his collegiate journey. His presence also serves as a reminder of the diverse talents cultivated within college athletics.