JUST IN: The Horns, the Kiss, the Devil, and the Battle for the Hook ‘Em Sign: A Texas Football Saga..

In a season already filled with high drama and unrelenting tension, one college football rivalry has taken an even more fascinating turn. It’s a story not just about X’s and O’s on the field, but about the intricate relationship between tradition, fan loyalty, and superstition. In a season like no other, the Texas Longhorns are at the center of a story that involves iconic hand gestures, an eerie tale of superstition, and an ongoing battle for the “Hook ‘Em Horns” sign—an emblem of pride that has stood at the heart of the Texas football program for decades.

The plot thickens when we consider the peculiar chain of events that transpired during Texas’ journey through the College Football Playoff, culminating in a showdown against Ohio State. But what if the Longhorns’ iconic Hook ‘Em Horns gesture, a symbol of unity and power, was somehow cursed? What if it had to be “reclaimed” from forces both seen and unseen? What happens when, in the heat of battle, that sacred gesture—a hand sign so ingrained in Texas pride—becomes a battleground for more than just football glory?

This is the story of “The Horns, the Kiss, the Devil, and the Battle for the Hook ‘Em Sign”—a tale of tradition, rivalry, and mysticism, where college football and superstition collide in one of the most fascinating narratives of the season.

The Birth of the Hook ‘Em Horns Sign: A Symbol of Texas Pride

To understand the significance of the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture, one must first dive deep into the history of Texas football and the tradition that binds fans to their beloved Longhorns. The Hook ‘Em Horns hand sign was popularized in the 1950s by the University of Texas mascot, Bevo, and quickly became a symbol of Longhorn pride. Over the years, the sign has transcended its origins, embodying the spirit of the Longhorns, from the football field to the streets of Austin, Texas, and beyond. It became an outward expression of Texas pride and a call to action for fans and players alike.

For decades, the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture remained a benign symbol of school spirit, known for its positive energy and the collective strength it represented. It was synonymous with the state of Texas itself, embodying the state’s defiance, pride, and competitive nature.

But in the midst of the Longhorns’ rise back to the top of college football, an unusual set of events began to unfold—events that would cast a dark cloud over this iconic symbol.

The Kiss of the Devil: A Superstition That Wouldn’t Let Go

In the run-up to Texas’ 2025 College Football Playoff campaign, an ominous superstition began to circulate among the fans. It all started when a prominent figure in the Texas fan community, an eccentric sports columnist and self-proclaimed psychic, made a bold statement. The columnist claimed to have had a vision: the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture was, in fact, cursed. He referred to it as “the Kiss of the Devil.”

According to the columnist, this curse was linked to an ancient legend that originated long before the school’s founding. The story goes that when the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture was first popularized, a powerful, mysterious figure known only as “The Devil of the Texas Plains” had placed a curse on it, predicting that the gesture would eventually bring misfortune to the team during a time of great success. The curse, the columnist claimed, would manifest in the form of an unexplainable losing streak when the Longhorns reached the pinnacle of college football once again.

The most disturbing part of the column was the claim that in 2025, the curse was “coming to fruition.” With Texas back in the College Football Playoff, many Longhorn fans feared that they might be on the verge of disaster, and some even went so far as to blame the curse for unexpected losses during the season.

While many fans dismissed the columnist’s warning as nonsense, the myth began to take root in the minds of some. For a program that had worked so hard to rebuild its stature, the idea of the Hook ‘Em Horns sign being cursed—and cursed at a time when they needed it most—was an unsettling thought.

The Battle for the Sign: Fans and Superstitions Collide

As the Texas Longhorns prepared for their College Football Playoff matchup against Ohio State, the presence of the superstition only grew stronger. Longhorn fans were torn between their loyalty to their team and the troubling myth surrounding their beloved Hook ‘Em Horns sign. To add to the tension, a strange event unfolded that only heightened the sense of unease: multiple “reclaimed” versions of the Hook ‘Em Horns sign began to surface from other factions, each claiming to be the “original” or “true” representation of the gesture.

One version was an altered hand sign, where the index and pinky fingers were raised higher than usual, with the two middle fingers pointed downward—a visual variation that some fans believed could “break” the curse. Another version of the Hook ‘Em Horns emerged in which the thumb was placed vertically, mimicking a “thumbs up” gesture. A small yet vocal group of fans, calling themselves the “Reclaimers,” began to insist that their version of the sign was the proper one and that this alternate hand gesture could overcome the curse that had allegedly plagued the original symbol.

The Reclaimers, a loose coalition of die-hard fans and conspiracy theorists, claimed that the altered hand sign had been passed down through the ages as part of an underground tradition, one that was never publicly acknowledged but secretly kept alive by the most devoted Longhorn supporters. They argued that it had been the true Hook ‘Em Horns sign all along, only hijacked by the powers that be for commercialization purposes.

For the Reclaimers, it was a matter of principle. If the Hook ‘Em Horns sign was truly cursed, then they had to act fast before the team fell victim to the superstition. As a result, the Reclaimers launched a campaign to reassert their version of the sign in the media, on social platforms, and even at game day rallies. This only fueled the growing controversy surrounding the Hook ‘Em Horns hand gesture.

A Moment of Truth: Texas vs. Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl

The tension surrounding the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture reached its peak on game day. In the hours leading up to the College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State, the stadium buzzed with excitement, but also with anxiety. Would the Longhorns finally exorcise the demon of the curse and reclaim their place as national contenders? Or would they succumb to the forces that had allegedly worked against them?

As the Longhorns stormed onto the field in front of an exuberant crowd, the Hook ‘Em Horns sign was raised high by the thousands of fans in the stands. But something strange happened. As the Texas team took to the field, the players—normally laser-focused—appeared distracted. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, visibly rattled, adjusted his helmet repeatedly, a gesture that wasn’t typical of him. Fans murmured in disbelief when it appeared as though a section of the crowd had begun to raise the “reclaimed” version of the sign, signaling a potential rift between fans who were unsure whether to follow tradition or trust the new superstition-defying version.

A dramatic and unexpected moment occurred just before the opening whistle. Texas fans in the lower bowl of the stadium held their breath as two rival fan factions clashed during the pregame ritual. The traditional Hook ‘Em Horns group, still steadfast in their allegiance to the original hand sign, met face-to-face with the Reclaimers, who had begun to proudly wave their modified hand gesture. The tension was palpable, as heated debates erupted over which version of the sign was truly “pure” or “effective.”

Some fans in the Reclaimers’ camp, in a last-ditch effort to break the curse, began chanting “The Horns Are Ours!” as they threw up their altered hand gestures in defiance. To their credit, their passion was undeniable, but it was unclear if their fervor could overcome the weight of superstition that had been looming over the team.

The Game: Texas Falls Short, But the Battle Rages On

As the game unfolded, the Longhorns fought valiantly but ultimately came up short in a thrilling 31-28 loss to Ohio State. Despite their best efforts, the Buckeyes’ offense, led by Cade Stover, proved too much for the Texas defense. The disappointment was heavy, and as the clock ticked down, fans across the stadium turned their focus to the aftermath of the Hook ‘Em Horns debate.

The team’s failure to overcome the Buckeyes sparked even more debate about whether the curse had indeed played a role. Was it the superstition, or simply a case of Ohio State’s superior execution? And what about the Reclaimers’ version of the sign? Did their efforts have any impact on the outcome, or was it just another example of fan mythology gone too far?

In the days that followed, the Hook ‘Em Horns battle continued to simmer. The debate over the legitimacy of the sign raged on across social media platforms, with fans on both sides defending their version. The traditionalists pointed to decades of success with the original gesture, while the Reclaimers argued that their altered version had the power to break the curse and bring the Longhorns back to their rightful place as national champions.

Conclusion: A Battle for Tradition and Belief

As Texas football fans look to the future, the battle over the Hook ‘Em Horns hand sign remains unresolved. For some, it’s a simple matter of school spirit and tradition, a way to rally behind their team through thick and thin. For others, it’s a mystical battle, one that blends superstition, rivalry, and the deep belief that the right gesture can change the course of history.

Whether the Hook ‘Em Horns gesture is truly cursed or simply a symbolic part of Texas football lore, it will undoubtedly remain a fixture of college football for years to come. The drama of this season has proven that for Texas fans, the Hook ‘Em Horns is more than just a hand sign—it’s a symbol of faith, pride, and hope that transcends the sport itself. As the battle for the sign continues, one thing is certain: the rivalry will only grow more intense, and the legend of the Hook ‘Em Horns will live on for generations to come.