As controversy rages over the University of Texas school song, one player said he was threatened by university alumni for his refusal to participate.
Traditionally sung after home games, “The Eyes of Texas” has come under fire in recent months over concerns that the song and tradition behind it are steeped in racism. In recent days, controversy has been rekindled after a report in the Texas Tribune revealed that alumni threatened to withhold donations from the university if students didn’t participate, including by calling them “ snowflakes. ”
Caden Sterns, who started out in safety for the Longhorns for three years, contributed to the controversy through revealing on Twitter that he too was threatened by alumni about the song.
“My teammates and I were threatened by a number of alumni that we would have to look for a job outside of Texas if we didn’t participate,” Sterns wrote.
The song has ties to Southern General Robert E. Lee and minstrel shows, which are the comedic re-enactment of racial stereotypes. The University of Texas band did not play the song for the soccer team’s last two home games.
Sterns was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team in 2018 and will participate in the 2021 NFL Draft. He is expected to be a late pick.