Texas A&M and Texas: A Rivalry Paused by Tragedy, United by Grace
COL. JAY BREWER is the embodiment of what it means to be an Aggie. His roots run deep in Texas A&M lore—his father was part of the Aggies’ 1939 national championship team. Brewer himself arrived in College Station in August 1977, joined the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, and never left. For over four decades, until his retirement in 2020, Brewer served as one of the band’s directors and became the iconic voice of the Aggie Band, known for his commanding announcement: “Now forming at the North End of Kyle Field,” a phrase that resonated wherever the Aggies played.
As Texas and Texas A&M prepare to reignite their storied rivalry this Saturday in College Station (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC), ticket prices are skyrocketing for the first Lone Star Showdown since 2011, when the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC. But for Brewer, this rivalry isn’t just about the animosity between neighbors. His perspective is forever shaped by the events of Nov. 26, 1999, when the Longhorns earned his eternal gratitude.
A Rivalry Overshadowed by Tragedy
The 1999 meeting between Texas and Texas A&M is etched in the memories of many Texans, not for the game itself, but for the heartbreaking events that preceded it. Just days before the game, the Aggie bonfire—a towering 55-foot structure of logs symbolizing A&M’s burning desire to beat Texas—collapsed, killing 12 students and injuring 27 others. The tragedy shook the Aggie community to its core.
In the midst of this sorrow, the Longhorn Band delivered a halftime performance that transcended rivalry. Their tribute to the victims remains one of the most poignant moments in the history of the Lone Star Showdown. “It’s one of the most memorable days in my 40-year career,” Brewer reflected this week.
The Night the Bonfire Fell
On Nov. 18, 1999, Brewer was jolted awake at nearly 3 a.m. by a phone call from the band’s top cadet commander. The news was grim: the bonfire stack had collapsed. The towering structure, built annually since 1909 by students and organized by the Corps of Cadets, was now a pile of over a million pounds of timber scattered across the polo fields.
Brewer rushed to the scene, where the gravity of the situation became clear. Emergency vehicles lit up the night, and Brewer found himself following two hearses through the gates. By dawn, the devastating news spread—12 students had lost their lives.
Football suddenly felt insignificant. Practices were canceled, and players joined rescue efforts, lifting logs in search of survivors. “They are still in a state of shock,” Aggies coach R.C. Slocum said at the time. “It’s hard for them to realize their fellow students died working on a project to recognize the spirit that comes with the game.”
Unity in the Face of Heartbreak
In Austin, the tragedy resonated deeply. Texas coach Mack Brown described driving to work with tears in his eyes. The Longhorns held a blood drive, drawing 400 to 500 participants, and transformed their traditional Hex Rally into a candlelight vigil. The UT Tower, typically illuminated, was darkened in solidarity, and students wore white ribbons in memory of the victims.
As the week progressed, officials from both schools debated whether to play the game. Ultimately, they decided to proceed, viewing the 106th edition of the rivalry as a memorial. The game, held before a record crowd of 86,128, became a moment of shared grief and respect.
A Halftime to Remember
The Longhorn Band’s halftime performance was a masterclass in grace and empathy. They played “Amazing Grace,” holding Texas and Texas A&M flags side by side before lowering the Texas flags and keeping the A&M flags aloft. They concluded with a Marine band rendition of “Taps,” honoring the 12 students who had died. “I’ve never heard Kyle Field that silent,” said Longhorn Band director Kevin Sedatole. “You could hear the wires hitting the flagpoles.”
In the stands, Aggies wept. Fans who had come prepared for a rivalry game instead found themselves united in mourning. “It was the classiest thing I have ever seen in my entire life,” said Dr. Tim Rhea, then the assistant director of the Aggie Band.
- The Aggie Band, known for its precision and tradition, opted for a silent “Block T” formation instead of their usual intricate drills.
- Fans gave the Longhorn Band a standing ovation, a rare moment of mutual respect in a rivalry often defined by animosity.
- The Longhorn Band announcer summed up the sentiment: “Our two institutions are great rivals, but more importantly great friends who have the highest amount of respect for each other.”
A Game for the Ages
The Aggies capped the emotional day with a dramatic victory, storming back in the fourth quarter to win 20-16. The game’s final moments saw Brian Gamble recover a fumble, drop to his knees, and raise his arms to the sky—a gesture that seemed to encapsulate the collective grief and resilience of the Aggie community.
“We had the thought and memory of those 12 in our hearts and minds every single play,” said offensive lineman Chris Valletta, who had the victims’ names written on his undershirt. “I hope this win can ease the pain a little bit.”
The Rivalry Resumes
Now, 24 years later, the rivalry is back. While the bonfire no longer burns on campus, the memories of that tragic week in 1999 remain. Aggies gathered on Nov. 18 at 2:42 a.m., the exact time of the collapse, to honor the 12 who died. For Brewer, it’s a reminder to keep the game in perspective. “It’s an athletic event between two big-time rivals in the great state of Texas, and that’s all it is,” he said.
As the Aggies and Longhorns take the field this Saturday, the hate may return, but so will the memory of a day when two rivals came together as one. “When you have a tragedy, it does tend to unite your human spirit together,” Rhea said. “I hope we never have to do it again.”
Originally Written by: Dave Wilson
