Category Archives: Aggie History

The 12th Man, Pre-1922 (Iowa)

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by Travis Normand

While Texas A&M is known as the “Home of the 12th Man,” it appears as if the term “12th Man” (as a reference to a team’s fan base, student section, or alumni) has been used prior to the famous 1922 Dixie Classic.

In a 1912 issue of “The Iowa Alumnus,” E.A. McGowan (captain on the 1905 Iowa team), recalls the 1903 Iowa victory over Illinois.  You will notice that he gave credit to the “twelfth man on the team (the loyal spirited Iowa rooter)” for the victory.

The Iowa Alumnus
Volume X, November, 1912, Number 2
Page 30
THE TWELFTH PLAYER
By EA McGowan, Captain 1905

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Texas A&M Explains Newly Added Championships

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by Travis Normand

I am not exactly sure when the “internet” noticed that Texas A&M had added two national championships (1919 and 1927) and two conference championships (1997 and 2010) to their total count.  However, when it did notice, the word traveled around the inter-webs like wildfire.

The initial reports (posted by RantSports.com, USAToday.com, Barrett Sallee – SEC Lead Football Writer for BleacherReport.com, and others on/or around 7 September 2012) offered no explanation directly from Texas A&M as to why these championships were added and only speculated as to why A&M decided to claim the 1919 and 1927 national championships.

While I have no idea if the above listed sources actually contacted anyone at Texas A&M regarding the newly added championships, I would guess that they did not.  At best, they each decided that speculation was enough and merely cited the RantSports.com article as their source for information and photo credit.

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From the Archives: Longhorns vs. Aggies

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by Travis Normand
Originally published here on OnePointSafety.com on June 25, 2012
Updated November 20, 2024

Below is one of the first articles that I posted at BleacherReport.com (way back in 2011). I am reposting it here because I want to share it with those who may see my blog but haven’t seen my old BleacherReport.com page. Further, because I will continue to write about the rivalry between the Aggies and Longhorns on this blog, I figured I should post the article that, for me at least, started it all.

The following is my article as it appeared on BleacherReport.com back in 2011. Any updates, changes, or alterations are indicated. It is not the most polished piece of writing, and there is a lot I would change if I was writing it today … but I have fought the urge to go back and re-edit it.

Enjoy.

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