By Joey McWilliams
ARLINGTON, Texas – Some of the people who have had major impacts on the Oklahoma-Texas football game showed in Arlington on Friday for a fundraiser, as well as an opportunity to reunite as friends.
The American Heart Association, sponsor of the Bear Bryan Award, hosted a Red River Reunion in Arlington, Texas, to raise money for the organization. Among those in attendance were former Sooner coach Barry Switzer and former Longhorn coach Mack Brown, who was awarded the Bear Bryant Award in 2006.
Brian Bosworth, OU linebacker from 1984-1986, who was an MVP of the game, also showed up for the afternoon.
Hundreds were in attendance at the event, with auctions for memorabilia on hand and podcasters covering both OU and Texas on hand to do their shows from the big stage.
With the 2025 version of the Red River Shootout a day away, the former greats gave their take on what it might take for their respective teams to win.
Switzer said it could be a toss-up, especially not know whether or not Sooner quarterback John Mateer would play and how effective he might be coming off an injured hand, and his pick might surprise Sooner fans.
“I think if he’s out, then Texas should be favored.”
Brown eluded to Mateer’s presence as a key factor, as well.
“Is he going to play or not, and if he does, how good is he going to play?” Brown said. “And you don’t want to get him hurt. But obviously Texas will be physical on the quarterback if they can.
“And then you look at Texas and they just came off a difficult loss at Florida. But it’s a matter of who makes the fewest mistakes and who takes advantage of the opportunities they get.”
Bosworth also said that the outcome of this game often came down to mistakes.
“It’s an ebb-and-flow game,” Bosworth said. “It’s played with emotion.
“This year, the offenses haven’t found their own rhythm and the defenses are solid on both sides. That means the team that makes the fewest mistake, eliminates the cheap scores and turnovers and plays good solid football for four quarters – I think it’s going to be a low-scoring game.”
And his pick reflected a low-scoring game.
“I like my Sooners. How about 17-9?”
The Sooner and Longhorns will once again be broadcast on ABC and coverage starts at 2:30 p.m.