Just two days before the highly anticipated Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and the Michigan Wolverines, the entire Longhorns community was overwhelmed with emotion by a surprise gesture from legendary former quarterback Quinn Ewers. Coach Steve Sarkisian called the entire team into a meeting room.
Sarkisian held up a large gift box, opened it in front of everyone, and revealed a long handwritten letter from Ewers: “Dear Longhorns brothers, even though I’m in Miami now, my heart is still Burnt Orange.
I’ve watched every game this season, proud of Arch, Anthony, Ryan, and all of you. This little gift is a reminder: We are family forever.” The team fell silent, reading the letter and looking at the gift, with many breaking down in tears and hugging each other.
Immediately, Anthony Hill Jr. responded with an incredibly touching gesture on behalf of the entire team!
Head coach Steve Sarkisian gathered the entire roster into the meeting room, his demeanor calm but purposeful. In front of him sat a large, carefully wrapped gift box.
Players exchanged curious glances, unaware that they were about to experience a moment that would define their bowl preparation in a way no film session or practice drill ever could.
When Sarkisian opened the box, silence fell over the room. Inside were dozens of custom, name-engraved bracelets, each etched with the words: “Hook ’Em Forever – From Quinn #3.” Beneath them lay a long, handwritten letter — unmistakably personal, unmistakably heartfelt — from Ewers himself.
Now an NFL quarterback preparing with the Miami Dolphins, Ewers has physically moved on from Austin, but emotionally, he has never left. In his letter, he spoke directly to the soul of the program:
“Dear Longhorns brothers,Even though I’m in Miami now, my heart is still Burnt Orange. I’ve watched every game this season, proud of Arch, Anthony, Ryan, and all of you. This little gift is a reminder: We are family forever.
Go out there on December 31st, play like true Texas warriors — crush Michigan and finish the season with a win! I’ll be watching from afar and cheering you on. Hook ’Em Horns forever!Love you,Quinn Ewers.”
As Sarkisian finished reading aloud, the room remained completely still. One by one, players picked up their bracelets, running their fingers over their own names, absorbing the weight of what the message represented.
This wasn’t about football strategy or motivation in the traditional sense — this was about identity, pride, and continuity across generations of Texas football.
Several players wiped away tears. Others leaned into teammates for quiet embraces. For a program built on tradition, Ewers’ words reinforced a simple truth: once you are a Longhorn, you are a Longhorn for life.
Moments later, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. stepped forward, determined to respond not with words alone, but with action. Pulling out his phone, Hill initiated a FaceTime call to Ewers, who was in the middle of practice with the Dolphins.
When Ewers answered, his screen instantly filled with dozens of familiar faces — teammates past and present, all united.
What happened next sent chills through anyone who watched.
The entire team erupted into a chant:“We love you, Quinn! This win is for you!”Arms raised, voices shaking with emotion, the Longhorns spoke directly to the quarterback who had led them to the College Football Playoff two seasons in a row and helped restore national belief in Texas football.
Hill Jr., speaking on behalf of the locker room, looked straight into the camera and said:“You’re our big brother. We’re going to bring victory home for you and the Longhorns family.”
Ewers, visibly emotional, could only smile and nod, mouthing “Hook ’Em” as the call ended.
Within hours, the video was posted to Texas Athletics’ official social media channels, where it exploded across platforms. Fans flooded the comments with praise, emotion, and renewed confidence ahead of the Citrus Bowl.
“Quinn is still the GOAT! Longhorns brothers forever!” one fan wrote.“This is why Texas will win — that brotherhood is real,” added another.“This just gave me chills. Michigan has no idea what’s coming,” read a third.
Beyond the viral moment, the message resonated deeply with analysts and former players alike. In an era dominated by transfer portals and constant roster turnover, Ewers’ gesture stood as a powerful counter-narrative — proof that leadership doesn’t end when eligibility does, and that culture matters as much as talent.
For Coach Sarkisian, the moment validated everything he has worked to build in Austin: a program rooted in accountability, connection, and family. For the current roster, it served as fuel heading into one of the most important games of the season.
As the Longhorns prepare to take the field against Michigan on December 31, they won’t just be playing for a trophy. They’ll be playing for each other. For the name on the front of the jersey. And for a former quarterback watching from afar, still Burnt Orange at heart.
One thing is certain: when Texas steps onto that Citrus Bowl field, Quinn Ewers will be right there with them — in spirit, in legacy, and in every “Hook ’Em” shouted from the stands.
