The Red River Rivalry, the storied and intense competition between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, is heating up in the digital sphere as both teams prepare to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Bonnie Thompson, whose son Brenen switched allegiances from Texas to Oklahoma last offseason, has become an inadvertent figure in this rivalry. Given her unique position of having ties to both sides, her recent social media exchanges have caused quite a stir.
The incident began with Thompson’s response to a spoof tweet by a college football satire account. The account made a false claim that Texas had offered a $9.2 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal to recruit Dia Bell for the class of 2026. An Oklahoma fan, playing along with the joke, quipped about a so-called “overpay” for transfer Damonic Williams by Texas, to which Thompson replied sharply against Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, labeling him a hypocrite.
Texas supporters rushed to Sarkisian’s defense, spurring a series of exchanges with Thompson, who forcefully maintained her stance, stating, “It’s MY story, so I’ll do as I please! You know zero about this as you have no role here!”
This online feud is the latest illustration of how the Red River Rivalry transcends the football field, spilling over into social media and drawing in players’ families into the fray.
Brenen Thompson’s collegiate career thus far underscores the passion and competitiveness of the rivalry. After a quieter debut year at Texas with just one catch, he experienced a breakout season at Oklahoma, indicating his rising trajectory.
As both Texas and Oklahoma gear up to enter the SEC, the rivalry promises to reach new heights. Fans of college football are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this rivalry, set to unfold at the iconic Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, October 12, at 2:30 p.m. CT, marking their first clash as fellow SEC competitors.
‘Hypocrite!’ Mother of Former Texas WR Takes Shot at Steve Sarkisian
The Red River Rivalry is taking on an interesting form on social media this offseason as the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners get set for their official arrival to the SEC.
Bonnie Thompson, the mother of former Texas receiver Brenen Thompson, has seen both sides of the Longhorns and Sooners after her son transferred to OU last offseason, and as a result, possesses a unique perspective of one of the most heated rivalries in sports.
However, things took an unexpected turn on social media Wednesday.
While replying on X (Twitter) to a Texas-themed discussion regarding a phony post from a college football news parody account, Bonnie Thompson delivered an out-of-nowhere jab to Texas coach Steve Sarkisian in regards to NIL.
The parody account jokingly tweeted that Texas offered recent 2026 QB commit Dia Bell a $9.2 million NIL deal which, of course, is untrue. An Oklahoma fan, clearly recognizing the joke, responded with a playful jab toward Texas regarding Oklahoma transfer Damonic Williams, tweeting: “Didn’t Texas fans call Damonic Williams an ‘overpay?’ Because holy overpay.”
Didn’t Texas fans Call Damonic Williams an “overpay?”
Bc holy Overpay https://t.co/tmqegni2eI
— JAE (@OkieFBfan) June 19, 2024
It’s possible that the presence of the parody account went over Thompson’s head, as she called out Sarkisian in response to the Oklahoma fan’s joke.
“Plus everyone knows Sark is a hypocrite!” she tweeted.
Texas fans quickly came to the defense of Sarkisian.
“I never ever wanna see you say anything else about how you don’t throw shade at Texas any chance you get,” wrote one Texas fan. “Stop bein such a hater & worry about that side of the red river.”
Bonnie responded: “It’s MY story, so I’ll do as I please! You know zero about this as you have no role here!”
It’s MY story, so I’ll do as I please! You know zero about this as you have no role here!
— Bonnie Thompson (@BonnieGThompson) June 20, 2024
This was just the start of multiple back-and-forth tweets between Thompson and other users on X. Regardless of who’s right or wrong, this is just the latest chapter in a Red River Rivalry that is only set to get more heated next season.
As for Brenen Thompson, he played in nine games during his one year at Texas, posting one catch for 32 yards. He found more success with the Sooners last season, tallying seven catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas and Oklahoma will meet as SEC foes for the first time next season when the Red River Rivalry kicks off from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m CT.
