“Hook ‘Em, We Are the Last SEC Team Left”: Texas Longhorns’ Speech Ignites Passion Ahead of SEC Showdown
The excitement was palpable, the energy unmistakable, and the stakes higher than ever as the Texas Longhorns prepared for a pivotal SEC showdown that would define the future of their program. In a powerful and emotionally charged speech, the team’s head coach and key leaders rallied the troops with a resounding message: “Hook ‘Em, We are the last SEC team left! Let’s go out there and represent our conference, but most of all, let’s go out and show them no mercy!” The words echoed through the locker room, reverberating off the walls and stirring a sense of urgency and determination among the Longhorns players.
It was a message steeped in pride, grit, and ambition, not just for the team but for the entire SEC and the legacy of the Texas Longhorns football program. This moment, captured on video and shared widely among fans and media, would serve as the battle cry as Texas, amidst a historic season, looked to make a statement on the biggest stage in college football.
The speech came at a time when Texas was entering one of its most important games in recent history. Having navigated the intense competition of the Big 12, the Longhorns were now ready to show that they belonged among the elite in college football by taking on top-tier SEC teams in their inaugural season as a part of the Southeastern Conference.
The speech reflected the growing intensity of the moment for the Longhorns as they geared up for what was more than just a game. It was a test of their identity, a proving ground for the team’s place in one of the nation’s most dominant conferences, and a chance to show the SEC—and the world—that Texas was not only ready but eager to fight, compete, and dominate.
“Hook ‘Em” — A Longhorns Rallying Cry
The phrase “Hook ‘Em Horns” is one of the most iconic slogans in college sports. Known across the nation, the gesture that accompanies the slogan—raising one’s hand with the index and pinky fingers outstretched in the shape of a “hook” to mimic the horns of a Longhorn steer—is a symbol of the Texas Longhorns football program’s power, tradition, and pride. It is a call to arms, a battle cry, and a display of team unity.
In the context of the speech, Coach Sarkisian’s declaration, “Hook ‘Em, we are the last SEC team left,” carried even more significance. It was more than just a phrase—this was the moment that encapsulated the spirit of Texas football in its journey to the SEC. The team had spent years preparing for this transition, battling through the challenges of the Big 12, and now, they were about to face their new reality: joining the ranks of the SEC.
But what made this moment so special wasn’t just the transition to a new conference. It was the fierceness, the determination, and the unyielding desire to stand out and show the rest of the SEC what the Longhorns were capable of. It was a message to every team in the conference that Texas was no longer an outsider; they were here to compete, to dominate, and to claim their rightful place among the conference’s giants.
Representing the SEC: The Longhorns’ Commitment to Excellence
The mention of representing the SEC was significant in Coach Sarkisian’s speech. Texas was entering a new chapter as part of a prestigious and historic conference. The SEC is known for its dominance in college football, producing national champions year after year. With heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida already entrenched as perennial powers, Texas had a monumental task ahead of it. The Longhorns were not just representing their own program—they were representing the entirety of the SEC.
As the newest member of the SEC, the Longhorns were keenly aware of the pressure to uphold the conference’s reputation and show that they belonged in the upper echelons of college football. Sarkisian’s words served as a reminder that the Longhorns were ready to carry the SEC banner and fight for the same glory that had been won by other teams in the conference.
“The SEC has been the benchmark for college football for years,” Coach Sarkisian said in the locker room. “We know what the conference is about. It’s about grit, it’s about toughness, and it’s about winning. We’re the last SEC team left, and we have an opportunity to represent this conference in a way that shows everyone what Texas football is all about. We’re not here to just participate—we’re here to compete, to win, and to show no mercy.”
The sense of duty to uphold the pride of the SEC was clear in Sarkisian’s speech. He emphasized that this wasn’t just about Texas—it was about showing the rest of the conference that the Longhorns were capable of going toe-to-toe with the best of the best. It was a challenge to the team to not only rise to the occasion but to set the tone for years to come.
“Show Them No Mercy”—A Message of Relentlessness
The most powerful and captivating part of the speech was Sarkisian’s call to action: “Let’s go out there and show them no mercy.” It was the rallying cry that sent chills down the spine of every player in that room. To show no mercy meant to play with everything they had—no fear, no hesitation, and no second-guessing. It meant fighting for every yard, every point, and every opportunity to prove that the Longhorns were the team to beat in the SEC.
In many ways, this statement reflected the mindset of Texas football under Sarkisian’s leadership. The Longhorns were no longer interested in merely being competitive; they were after championships. The statement of “no mercy” is a reminder that Texas was willing to push the limits of what was possible in order to dominate and defeat their opponents. This was a team with a mentality of relentless pursuit, unafraid to take on the toughest challenges and make a statement with every play.
This attitude was reflective of Sarkisian’s coaching philosophy: a balanced offense that strikes fast and hard, a defense that suffocates opponents, and a team that plays with aggression and physicality. In every drill, every meeting, and every practice session, Sarkisian instilled this “no mercy” mentality, and it was now time for his players to translate that mindset onto the field. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about making a statement that Texas Longhorns football had arrived in the SEC—and they were not here to be pushed around.
The Players’ Response: A Unified Front
As Coach Sarkisian’s speech reached its crescendo, the players of the Texas Longhorns were locked in and fully engaged. Many players, some of whom had dreamed of playing in the SEC their entire careers, knew what was at stake. The team had worked tirelessly for years to get to this point, and now, with this pivotal game ahead of them, the stakes were at their highest.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns’ quarterback. “We’re not here to be second best. We’re here to dominate, to prove to everyone that we’re ready for this. We’ve put in the work, we’ve made the sacrifices, and now it’s time to show the world what we’re made of.”
The players took to the field with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew that they were not only representing themselves, but the entire University of Texas, and the SEC as a whole. The speech, delivered with intensity and passion, set the tone for what was to come. The Longhorns were determined to show no mercy to their opponents, to execute their game plan to perfection, and to leave everything on the field.
Looking Ahead: Texas’ Role in the SEC
As the Texas Longhorns continue their journey through the Southeastern Conference, the speech served as a defining moment in the early stages of their SEC adventure. Sarkisian’s words were not just a one-time rallying cry but a guiding principle for what the team aims to achieve in the years ahead.
By adopting the mentality of showing no mercy, Texas is signaling to the SEC that it is here to compete for championships and that the Longhorns are not to be underestimated. In a conference that has long been dominated by teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, Texas’ entrance into the SEC marks a new chapter for the program—a chapter where the Longhorns are determined to make their mark and prove that they can hang with the best.
With Sarkisian at the helm and a team motivated by the “no mercy” mindset, the Texas Longhorns are primed for what promises to be an exciting and transformative journey through the SEC. The message is clear: Texas is here to win, to fight, and to show the world that they belong at the top of college football. Hook ‘Em!
