ESPN's coverage of Friday night's Cotton Bowl game between Ohio State and Texas included an on-field prayer before the game.
The prayer comes shortly after a moment of silence to remember those lost in the ongoing California wildfires and the deadly terrorist attack that killed 14 people in New Orleans on January 1st. It was read by Chairman Fred McClure. innocent people.
“Dear Father, we pray for a blessing on all those gathered here today, especially those on the field gathered to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns. “We encourage the young people we represent. Protect them from injury and harm, instill in them a deep respect for each other, and reward them and their patience,” McClure said.
“We are grateful for the freedom and privilege to compete and connect through sport in this country. But we are mindful of those who cannot participate due to violence, poverty, or discrimination. Lord, please break our hearts by striving to do our best, treating others with dignity and respect, and reflecting your grace and kindness in everything we do. , overcome these barriers. Now receive your glory, your power, and your honor forever. ”
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Ohio State Buckeyes running back Treveillon Henderson, 32, has a 75-yard touch during the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in January. He scored a touchdown on a down catch and run. , October 2025. (Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 to advance to the national championship game against Notre Dame.
ESPN's broadcast of the pregame prayer comes a week after the network's decision not to broadcast the national anthem ahead of the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, which was postponed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2 after the New Orleans game. This was done after a huge backlash. attack.
In response to the backlash, the network decided to broadcast the Sugar Bowl anthem later that week on its Thursday edition of “SportsCenter.” Still, many fans thought the network acted too late at that point. The station also made sure to broadcast the national anthem ahead of Thursday's Orange Bowl between Penn State and Notre Dame.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jadon Blue, 23, stands behind the offensive line after a touchdown catch during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Celebrating with Jake Majors (65) of Mann. image (Jerome Miron-Iman Images)
ESPN wasn't the only network that sparked intense backlash over its Sugar Bowl presentation.
Allstate CEO Tom Wilson received a storm of criticism on social media after releasing a video statement about the terrorist attack in New Orleans just before the Sugar Bowl, of which Allstate is an official corporate sponsor. caused a stir. Wilson suggested in the video that Americans are “addicted to conflict” and need to “accept people's imperfections and differences.”
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A panoramic view of the stadium before the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 10, 2025. (William Parnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Our prayers go out to the victims and their families. We also need to come together and become stronger by overcoming our addiction to discord and negative thoughts. All across the United States Join Allstate as we work in our communities to amplify positivity, increase trust, and embrace people's flaws and differences. Together, we win,” Wilson said in the video. Ta.
Many fans claimed they would cancel their Allstate insurance plans after this video aired.
Allstate has since deleted the video from its social media accounts.
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