Red River Rivalry History: 10 Common Misconceptions Corrected
In our continuous effort to provide accurate information about college football’s greatest rivalry, we’ve researched and corrected 10 commonly misunderstood facts about the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Rivalry. Some of these might surprise even the most dedicated fans.
#1: The Golden Hat Trophy Origins
The Misconception
The trophy has always been called the “Golden Hat” since its creation in 1941.
The Reality
Originally “The Bronze Hat” (1941-1970s)
- Created in 1941 by the State Fair of Texas
- Was bronze-colored when first introduced
- Called the “Bronze Hat” or “Brass Hat” for its first three decades
- Re-plated in gold during the 1970s renovation
- Officially became known as the “Golden Hat” after the re-plating
Why It Matters: This detail shows how traditions evolve over time, even iconic ones like the Golden Hat.
#2: Baker Mayfield’s Famous Flag Planting
The Misconception
Baker Mayfield planted an Oklahoma flag on the Texas field after beating the Longhorns in 2017.
The Reality
The Ohio State Incident
- The famous flag planting occurred after Oklahoma’s 31-16 victory at Ohio State on September 9, 2017
- Mayfield did it at Ohio State’s midfield, not Texas’s
- He later explained he did it because “we do the flag thing at OU-Texas”
- The controversial act happened against Ohio State, not Texas
- Mayfield apologized for the Ohio State incident (though later admitted the apology wasn’t sincere)
Why It Matters: This is one of the most frequently repeated errors in Red River Rivalry lore.
#3: The First Tie in Rivalry History
The Misconception
Many fans believe ties were common throughout the rivalry’s history.
The Reality
Only 5 Ties in 120+ Years
- 1900: Texas 6, Oklahoma 6
- 1916: Texas 7, Oklahoma 7
- 1973: Texas 7, Oklahoma 7
- 1976: Oklahoma 6, Texas 6
- 1984: Oklahoma 15, Texas 15 (final tie ever)
Why It Matters: The 1984 tie was the last one in college football history before overtime rules were adopted in 1996.
#4: Cotton Bowl’s Historical Role
The Misconception
The Red River Rivalry has always been played at the Cotton Bowl.
The Reality
Not Always at Cotton Bowl
- Early games (1900-1912): Played at various locations in Texas and Oklahoma
- 1913-1923: Alternated between Austin and Norman
- 1924: First game at Fair Park (but not current Cotton Bowl)
- 1929: Moved to current Cotton Bowl location
- 1932: Permanent move to Cotton Bowl during State Fair
Why It Matters: The Cotton Bowl connection isn’t as ancient as many believe.
#5: “Red River Shootout” vs “Red River Rivalry”
The Misconception
“Red River Rivalry” has always been the official name.
The Reality
Multiple Names Over Time
- Early names: “Texas-Oklahoma Game”
- 1940s-1990s: “Red River Shootout”
- 2000s-2014: “Red River Rivalry” (corporate sponsorship)
- 2014-2022: “Red River Showdown” (SBC sponsorship)
- 2023-present: Back to “Red River Rivalry”
Why It Matters: The name changes reflect the commercialization of college football.
#6: 2002: The “Perfect Game” That Never Was
The Misconception
Oklahoma’s 2002 victory was their most dominant performance ever.
The Reality
The Most Dominant Win Was Actually 2000
- 2000: Oklahoma 63, Texas 14 (49-point margin)
- 2002: Oklahoma 35, Texas 24 (11-point margin)
- Many fans confuse 2000’s blowout with 2002’s solid win
Why It Matters: The 2000 game marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s dynasty under Bob Stoops.
#7: The Famous “Roy Superman” Play
The Misconception
Roy Williams’s 2001 “Superman” tackle won the Heisman Trophy.
The Reality
Different Years, Different Impact
- 2001: Williams’ Superman tackle helped Oklahoma beat Texas 14-3
- 2001: Williams won the Heisman Trophy
- The play was iconic, but Williams was already a Heisman front-runner
- The tackle cemented his legacy but didn’t single-handedly win the Heisman
Why It Matters: The play is more remembered for its visual impact than its Heisman implications.
#8: The State Fair Connection
The Misconception
The State Fair of Texas has always been part of the rivalry weekend.
The Reality
Fair Partnership Evolved Over Time
- 1929: First game at Fair Park
- 1937: Official partnership with State Fair began
- 1941: State Fair officially created the Golden Hat trophy
- 1950s-present: Fair week became the permanent tradition
Why It Matters: The fair connection is younger than many fans realize.
#9: Attendance Records
The Misconception
The Red River Rivalry always draws the largest crowd of any regular-season game.
The Reality
Varies by Year and Stadium Capacity
- Current Cotton Bowl capacity: 92,100
- Some rivalries (Michigan-Ohio State, Alabama-Auburn) draw larger crowds
- Red River Rivalry is consistently among the top 3 in attendance
- The neutral-site, split-stadium atmosphere makes it unique regardless of total numbers
Why It Matters: The game’s importance isn’t just about attendance figures.
#10: The “Split Stadium” Tradition
The Misconception
The 50-50 stadium split has always been perfectly even.
The Reality
Approximately 50-50, But Not Exact
- Designed for equal distribution, but not perfectly split
- Side-by-side sections create the visual split
- Actual attendance varies slightly each year
- Ticket allocation favors season ticket holders from each school
- The “split” is more about tradition than exact numbers
Why It Matters: The visual spectacle matters more than exact headcounts.
Why These Corrections Matter
Historical Accuracy
Preserving accurate history ensures future generations understand the true evolution of this great rivalry.
Fan Education
Understanding the real history helps fans appreciate the depth and complexity of traditions.
Media Responsibility
As content providers, we have a duty to correct misinformation, even when it’s widely believed.
Tradition Evolution
Seeing how traditions change helps us understand that college football’s culture evolves.
How We Verified These Facts
Primary Sources
- University of Texas Athletics archives
- University of Oklahoma Athletics records
- State Fair of Texas historical documents
- NCAA official records
Secondary Sources
- Multiple sports history databases
- Newspaper archives from various decades
- Books on college football history
- Interviews with former players and officials
Cross-Reference Process
Each fact was verified against multiple independent sources before publication.
The Most Surprising Discoveries
1. The Golden Hat’s True Origins
Learning that it started as bronze and evolved to gold surprised even long-time fans.
2. The Baker Mayfield Confusion
The widespread belief about the Texas flag planting shows how quickly misinformation spreads.
3. The Name Changes
The frequency of name changes reflects the commercial evolution of college sports.
4. The Early History
The game’s wandering early years before settling at Fair Park.
What This Means for Fans
Appreciate the True History
Understanding the real story makes watching the rivalry even more meaningful.
Share Accurate Information
Help educate fellow fans with these corrected facts.
Understand Tradition Evolution
Traditions aren’t static—they grow and change over time.
Enjoy the Richness
The real story is often more interesting than the myths.
Moving Forward
As we continue to provide content about this great rivalry, we commit to:
- Rigorous fact-checking
- Multiple source verification
- Transparency about corrections
- Acknowledging when we make mistakes
The Red River Rivalry deserves accurate, respectful treatment from everyone who covers it.
Conclusion
The Texas-Oklahoma rivalry is rich enough with real drama, great moments, and fascinating history that we don’t need to embellish or misremember. The true stories are compelling enough on their own.
Whether you bleed burnt orange or crimson, understanding the real history helps us all appreciate what makes this rivalry special: 120+ years of competitive football, evolving traditions, and memories that span generations.
The next time someone shares one of these myths, you’ll know the real story.
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Sources:
- Texas Athletics Department Archives
- Oklahoma Athletics Department Records
- State Fair of Texas Historical Documents
- NCAA Official Records
- Multiple newspaper archives and sports databases
This article is part of our commitment to providing accurate, well-researched content about college football’s greatest rivalries. If you find any inaccuracies, please contact us with sources so we can continue improving.