As the controversy over school music at the University of Texas intensifies, one player said he was threatened by alumni at the university for his refusal to participate.
“The Eyes of Texas”, which is traditionally sung after home games, has been criticized in recent months because of concerns that the music and tradition behind it are steeped in racism. In recent days, the controversy has rekindled after a report from the Texas Tribune revealed that alumni threatened to withhold donations from the university if students did not participate, calling them “snowflakes”, among other things.
Caden Sterns, who started for three years in the safety of the Longhorns, contributed to the controversy over revealing on Twitter that he was also threatened by alumni because of music.
“My teammates and I were threatened by some alumni that we would have to find jobs outside of Texas if we didn’t participate,” wrote Sterns.
The song has links to Confederate General Robert E. Lee and minstrel shows, which are the comic reenactment of racial stereotypes. The University of Texas band has not played the song in the last two home games for the football team.
Sterns was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team in 2018 and will enter the NFL’s 2021 Draft. It is designed to be a final choice.