ESPN airs pregame prayer for Cotton Bowl after backlash over not showing national anthem after terrorist attack
ESPN coverage Friday night’s Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Texas included a prayer broadcast on the field before the game.
A prayer was read by former Cotton Bowl Athletic Association president Fred McClure immediately following a moment of silence to honor those killed during the course. California wildfires and the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans on January 1 that killed 14 innocent people.
“Dear Father, today we ask for your blessing on all those gathered here, especially those on the field as we gather to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, lifting up the young men who represent the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns. Keep them safe from harm and injury, instill deep respect for each other and reward them or their perseverance,” McClure said.
“We are grateful for the freedom and privilege we have in this nation to compete and connect through sports. Yet we are mindful of those who cannot participate because of violence, poverty, or discrimination. Lord, encourage our hearts to break down those barriers by striving to do our best , treating others with dignity and respect, and reflecting your grace and goodness in all we do Now let us receive all your glory, your power and your honor forever, amen!”
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Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown on a 75-yard catch-and-run against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025. (Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 to advance to the national championship game against Notre Dame.
ESPN’s broadcast of the pregame prayer comes after a week of massive backlash over the network’s decision not to air the national anthem ahead of the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, which was postponed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2 in the wake of the New Orleans attack.
The backlash prompted the network to play the Sugar Bowl national anthem later in the week during Thursday’s edition of “SportsCenter.” However, many fans at the time considered the network’s gesture too late. The network also made sure to air the national anthem ahead of Thursday’s Orange Bowl between Penn State and Notre Dame.
Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Jake Majors (65) after catching a touchdown during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Pictures (Jerome Miron-Imagn Pictures)
ESPN wasn’t the only company that caused backlash for presenting the Sugar Bowl, either.
Allstate CEO Tom Wilson sparked a firestorm of criticism on social media with a video statement terrorist attack in New Orleans just ahead Sugar bowlof which Allstate is the official corporate sponsor. In the video, Wilson suggested that Americans have an “addiction to divisiveness” and need to “accept people’s imperfections and differences.”
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A general view of the stadium before the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Our prayers go out to the victims and their families. We must also be stronger together by overcoming our addiction to division and negativity. Join Allstate as it works in local communities across America to amplify positivity, increase trust and embrace human imperfections and differences. Together we win,” Wilson says in the video.
Many fans insisted they would cancel their Allstate insurance after the video aired.
Allstate later deleted the video from its social media accounts.
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