ESPN coverage The Cotton Bowl game between Ohio State and Texas on Friday night included a prayer broadcast on the field before the game.
The prayer was read by former President of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, Fred McClure, immediately after a moment of silence to recognize those killed in the current events. Wildfires in California And the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans on January 1 that killed 14 innocent people.
“Loving Father, we ask for your blessings today for all gathered here and especially for those on the field as we come together to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, and lift up the young men who represent the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns. Keep them safe from injury and harm,” McClure said. . Instill in them a deep respect for each other, and reward their perseverance.”
“We are grateful for the freedom and privilege we have in this nation to compete and connect through sports. However, we are mindful of those who cannot participate due to violence, poverty, or discrimination. Lord, move our hearts to tear down these barriers by striving to provide the best We have, treat others with dignity and respect, and reflect your grace and kindness in everything we do and now receive all your glory, power, and dignity forever, Amen!”
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Ohio State Buckeyes running back Trevon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown on a 75-yard run against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during a Football League semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in January, 10, 2025. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Ohio State went on to beat Texas 28-14 to advance to the national championship game against Notre Dame.
ESPN's broadcast of the pregame prayer comes a week after backlash for the network's decision not to broadcast the national anthem before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, which was postponed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2 after the New Orleans game. attacks.
The backlash prompted the network to air the Sugar Bowl's national anthem later in the week during Thursday's edition of “SportsCenter.” However, many fans considered the network's nod too late at that point. 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 Bleu, 23, celebrates with offensive lineman Jake Majors, 65, after 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. the pictures (Photos by Jerome Miron-Imagine)
ESPN wasn't the only company to draw backlash for its Sugar Bowl showing, either.
Allstate CEO Tom Wilson ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media with a video statement addressing the issue Terrorist attack In New Orleans before Sugar bowlAllstate is the company's official sponsor. In the video, Wilson noted that Americans have an “addiction to division” and must “accept people's flaws and differences.”
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A general view of the field before the Ohio State Bucs vs. Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff semifinal game in the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (William Burnell/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
“Our prayers go out to the victims and their families. We also need to be stronger together by overcoming our addiction to division and negativity. Join Allstate working in communities across America to amplify positivity, increase trust, and accept people’s flaws and differences. Together we won,” Wilson says. In the video.
Many fans insisted on canceling their Allstate insurance plans after the video aired.
Allstate later deleted the video from its social media accounts.
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