**“SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Apologizes for Embarrassing Mix-Up as Texas A\&M Fight Song Plays During Steve Sarkisian’s Introduction”**
The moment was supposed to be a proud and polished one, an official introduction steeped in SEC tradition, showcasing one of the conference’s most prominent programs and its head coach. Instead, it turned awkward in an instant. As Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walked onto the stage during a high-profile SEC media event, the unmistakable notes of the Texas A\&M fight song, “Aggie War Hymn,” blared through the speakers. What was meant to be a ceremonious moment for Texas and its leader quickly became the subject of viral videos, confused expressions, and puzzled murmurs across the venue. And at the center of the backlash stood SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who has since publicly apologized for the mix-up, acknowledging the gaffe and taking full responsibility for what he described as “a regrettable and unintentional error.”
The timing of the blunder couldn’t have been worse. With Texas officially joining the SEC ahead of the 2025 football season, this year’s SEC Media Days were meant to be a celebration of expansion and renewed rivalries. It was supposed to mark a new era in college football—a merger of powerhouses that promised unmatched competition and fanfare. Steve Sarkisian, as the face of Texas football, was taking the stage for the first time under the SEC banner, expected to articulate his vision for the Longhorns in their new environment. Instead, his entrance was overshadowed by the playing of his bitter in-state rival’s anthem, turning a moment of pride into one of bewilderment.
Videos of Sarkisian’s stoic reaction—tight-lipped and visibly caught off guard—spread quickly across social media platforms. The Longhorns faithful reacted with everything from outrage to bemusement. Texas A\&M fans, on the other hand, delighted in the moment, seeing it as an unintentional nod to their enduring place in SEC culture and a symbolic reminder that the Aggies had arrived first. But for the organizers, and particularly Greg Sankey, the error became a serious distraction from what had been billed as a monumental moment for the conference.
Sankey wasted little time in addressing the matter. Later that day, he issued a formal statement apologizing to Sarkisian, the Texas football program, and Longhorns fans everywhere. “I want to personally apologize to Coach Steve Sarkisian and the University of Texas community for the unfortunate error during today’s media proceedings,” the statement read. “The playing of the Texas A\&M fight song was unintentional and the result of a production oversight. It does not reflect any message or preference by the SEC. We deeply regret the confusion it caused and are taking steps to ensure nothing of this sort happens again.”
According to sources within the event’s planning team, the mishap stemmed from mislabeled audio files submitted during final preparations for the weeklong media event. With multiple teams joining the lineup and a plethora of promotional materials, video packages, and soundtracks being assembled, the fight songs of both Texas and Texas A\&M were included in the media database. Somehow, when the time came to introduce Sarkisian, the wrong file was cued up—an error no one caught until it was too late. While human error may be forgivable in a vacuum, the gravity of this particular mistake—involving two bitter rivals with a storied and often tense history—compounded the scrutiny.
To understand the emotional weight behind the incident, one must appreciate the fierce rivalry that has long existed between Texas and Texas A\&M. Though the two programs haven’t faced each other on the football field since 2011, when A\&M left the Big 12 for the SEC, the animosity between their fan bases has only intensified in the years since. The decision by Texas to join the SEC was seen by some A\&M supporters as an encroachment, a move that would inevitably reignite tensions both on and off the field. To now have the Aggies’ fight song inadvertently playing during a marquee moment for the Longhorns only added gasoline to an already smoldering fire.
Sarkisian, to his credit, handled the situation with class and composure. When asked about it during his media availability, he cracked a smile and deflected with grace. “Look, mistakes happen,” he said. “If anything, I think it just shows how excited people are to have Texas and Texas A\&M back in the same conference. Rivalries like that are what make college football special. We’ll settle things the right way—on the field.” His cool-headed response earned him praise from media and fans alike, turning what could have remained an embarrassing moment into an opportunity to showcase leadership.
Still, the incident reignited debates around the SEC’s handling of Texas and Oklahoma’s inclusion. Some critics argued that the gaffe symbolized a broader lack of preparedness by the conference office in integrating the new members with the respect and distinction they deserve. “If you can’t even get the fight song right, what does that say about how Texas is being welcomed into this league?” one fan tweeted. Others saw it as an unintentional but telling slight—a moment that betrayed old SEC loyalties and pecking orders.
For Sankey, the situation underscores the immense pressure of managing a growing and evolving super-conference. As commissioner, he’s overseen the SEC’s transformation into a juggernaut with national reach, driving record TV deals, playoff appearances, and recruitment success. But with that growth comes logistical complexity and the need for extreme attention to detail. While this latest episode may ultimately be chalked up to a momentary lapse, it serves as a public reminder that perception matters—and that symbolism is powerful, especially in the pageantry-rich world of college football.
Moving forward, SEC officials have indicated they will be implementing more stringent protocols around media production, particularly for high-visibility events. A dedicated team will now be responsible for cross-checking all musical and visual materials prior to any public use, and each school will have an appointed liaison to review final versions in advance. “We never want to be in this position again,” one SEC staffer noted privately. “It was embarrassing, and we know how important these moments are to every program in our league.”
In the end, while the moment was far from ideal, it may have inadvertently added to the lore of Texas’ SEC debut. If college football is built on storylines, rivalries, and drama, then this hiccup provided all three in one short burst of music. The moment also accelerated anticipation for the upcoming Texas-Texas A\&M matchup, which is already being billed as one of the must-watch games of the 2025 season. Scheduled to take place during rivalry week, the renewed showdown will not only mark the first meeting in over a decade but also serve as a symbolic turf war for control of SEC bragging rights in the Lone Star State.
For Texas fans, the sound of “Aggie War Hymn” ringing out during their coach’s big moment was a gut punch—but also a rallying cry. For A\&M fans, it was a reminder that their program still commands presence and respect within the SEC hierarchy. And for the rest of the college football world, it was yet another reminder that in this sport, even the smallest mistakes can take on a life of their own, generating headlines, memes, and talking points that stretch far beyond the playing field.
Greg Sankey, no stranger to scrutiny, now adds this incident to his long list of challenges as commissioner. But if history is any indication, he will move quickly to right the ship. Already, his apology has been widely circulated and generally well-received, with many praising him for owning the mistake rather than passing the blame. In a high-stakes environment like college football, accountability is rare currency, and Sankey appears determined to use this moment to reinforce the values of professionalism, respect, and sportsmanship.
As the countdown to the 2025 season continues, this misstep will likely fade into memory, overtaken by touchdowns, highlight reels, and historic clashes. But it won’t be forgotten. Instead, it will be remembered as an odd but fitting prologue to the rebirth of one of the sport’s most intense rivalries—and a reminder that in the SEC, even the music matters.
