The Red River Rivalry Was Inspired by Prairie View A&M

As we get ready for a monster weekend at the State Fair, let's remember the Black colleges who helped kick it all off

On the second Saturday of October, during the waning days before you can finally feel the first cool snap of autumn’s breeze, Texans from all across the state will make their way to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, many of them donning their burnt orange in hopes of a Texas Longhorns win. This year, Quinn Ewers is expected to take down the evil crimson army to the north, the Oklahoma Sooners as the Longhorns march to a National Title. 

The Red River Rivalry (I prefer Red River Shootout like it used to be) is always a fun time. I can remember attending the 2011 game and Texas fans filing out at halftime, hoping the haze of carnival smells and fare (and maybe an adult beverage or two or ten)  would cure their soul as David Ash boldly led them to a blowout loss. Those sorrow drowners knew the game was a part of the storied Red River Rivalry at the legendary Cotton Bowl. I wonder if they know the whole thing was inspired by Black colleges and the State Fair Classic. 

The second Monday in October was called Negro Day at the State Fair in 1925. It was the only day Black Texans were allowed at the festivities so that’s the day Wiley College and Langston University decided to meet at the Cotton Bowl. The first few games did well enough until 1929 when Prairie View A&M University replaced Langston as Wiley’s annual Cotton Bowl opponent. The Panthers have been there annually ever since. 

A big reason for that is the attendance, which increased to over 8000 spectators upon the Panther’s arrival to the game. Growing in attendance each year, the bands of PV and Wiley marched through town as beauty pageants and parades were held prior to kickoff. It all reached a crescendo in 1936 when Governor James Allred let all Black Texan children out of school to attend the game that was a part of the state’s Centennial Celebration. Special trains from around the state flocked to the Cotton Bowl where just outside the stadium, in the Hall of Negro Life, sat exhibits highlighting Black achievement that could be seen by all. That night, nearly 20,000 fans saw Wiley beat Prairie View 7-0. Black or white, October 19, 1936 would have been a sight to behold. 

 Black college football had grown so popular at the State Fair that the University of Texas and Oklahoma University decided to give it a try themselves. Today it is the Longhorns and Sooners occupying the second week of the Cotton Bowl, the week that once contained the only day Black Texans could attend a game and root on their favorite teams. 

Although times have changed and the dates have moved, The State Fair Classic has still continued its popularity among Black Texans. Now played among Prairie View A&M and Grambling State, the contest annually ranks as one of the highest attended Black College Football games each year. 

So as Texas prepares to take its place in the sun against the hated Sooners this weekend, I hope fans show a little love for the Black colleges that paved the way for what Longhorn fans hope is a legendary afternoon.