AUSTIN (105.3 The Fan) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he supports Texas and Texas A&M renewing their rivalry on the football field.
The governor talked about wanting to help revive the game between the schools during his State of the State address at the Capitol on Tuesday.
“It seems unprecedented and I got to tell you, I’m feeling it myself. I’m feeling moved. And I want to set the example. For example, I’m willing to step up and put aside past differences and work with Lyle Larson to reinstate the rivalry game between the Aggies and the Longhorns,” Abbott said.
The lawmakers in the Capitol stood up and applauded the governor's statement.
The Aggies and the Longhorns last played each other in 2011, before Texas A&M moved to the SEC.
Back in November, Texas State Rep. Lyle Larson filed a bill, HB 412, that would require the Longhorns and the Aggies to play on the fourth Thursday, Friday or Saturday of each November, according to Chuck Lindell of the Austin American-Statesman.
OK, then.HB 412 by Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, would require University of Texas and Texas A&M football teams to play on the fourth Thursday, Friday or Saturday of each November.Failure to play = losing all football scholarships that use state $.#txlege pic.twitter.com/zJ21aOUXzu
— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell)
November 27, 2018 Larson later confirmed the bill on Twitter, saying: "After another Thanksgiving void of one of the most historic collegiate football rivalries, we filed House Bill 412 to start the negotiating process between Texas A&M and University of Texas to bring back the fabled football game."
After another Thanksgiving void of one of the most historic collegiate football rivalries, we filed House Bill 412 to start the negotiating process between Texas A&M and University of Texas to bring back the fabled football game. pic.twitter.com/G365pCTWbS
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson)
November 27, 2018 If the bill passes legislation, and the teams fail to play each other on those days, both schools would lose all football scholarship money that comes from the state.
