SEC Media Days: Honest mistake? Sarkisian goes to podium with ‘Aggie War Hymn’ playing

AUSTIN (KXAN) — That wasn’t supposed to happen.

When coaches walk to the podium to speak during the Southeastern Conference Football Media Days, their school’s fight song blares over the speakers. When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian made his way to the stage Tuesday, “Texas Fight” wasn’t playing.

Instead, it was the “Aggie War Hymn,” the song for their bitter rivals, Texas A&M. Someone pushed the wrong button, or maybe an Aggie fan was on the soundboard.

Sarkisian didn’t seem bothered by the miscue, however. He opened by thanking reporters and media outlets in attendance, and then offered thoughts, prayers and condolences to people affected by the catastrophic floods over the July 4 weekend in the Texas Hill Country.

“They’ll always have our continued support,” he said.

Texas senior defensive back Micahel Taaffe paid tribute to those who died during the floods at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Kerr County near Kerrville. He wore a tie with the initials of 27 who died as the floods overtook the camp.

Taaffe, along with junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., and sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, represented the Longhorns at the event.