Texas Longhorns football slammed for taking Arizona’s turnover sword idea: ‘Stolen valor’

The Texas Longhorns football team unveiled a turnover sword during their 52-0 win over Colorado State in Week 1 on Saturday to much fanfare, with social media raving about the idea to put footballs on the sword after Texas created turnovers.

Many also seemed to love the name for the sword: “Texcalibur.”

It does have a nice right to it, doesn’t it?

However, not everyone was a fan of this new tradition for the Longhorns, especially fans of the Arizona Wildcats, who already have a turnover sword tradition.

Wildcats fans slammed Texas for stealing their idea on social media, calling it “stolen valor.”

The Texas Longhorns football team has come under fire for allegedly appropriating the Arizona Wildcats’ “turnover sword” concept, sparking accusations of “stolen valor” among fans and commentators.

The controversy began when Texas unveiled its own turnover prop—a sword—during a recent game. Arizona introduced its turnover sword in 2021 as a motivational tool, celebrating defensive turnovers with a ceremonial sword presentation. The Longhorns’ adoption of a similar prop has led to criticism that they are copying Arizona’s idea without proper acknowledgment.

Critics argue that Texas, with its rich football tradition, should innovate rather than imitate. The term “stolen valor,” typically used to describe individuals falsely claiming military honors, has been used metaphorically here to suggest that Texas is dishonestly claiming credit for an idea that isn’t theirs. This has sparked debates about originality and respect for other programs’ traditions.

Supporters of Texas counter that turnover props are a common practice in college football, with many teams using them to boost morale and engage fans. They argue that the Longhorns’ sword is a natural evolution of this trend and not a direct copy of Arizona’s concept.

The debate highlights broader discussions about tradition, innovation, and respect in college football. While some see the Longhorns’ move as a lack of creativity, others view it as a harmless adaptation of a popular trend. Regardless, the controversy underscores the passion and scrutiny that college football fans bring to every aspect of the game.