TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
August 30 , 2025
AUSTIN, TX — The Texas state legislature voted late Thursday to approve House Bill 2474, a controversial measure that would award an automatic 21 points to the University of Texas Longhorns at the start of every football game. The bill now proceeds to Governor Greg Abbott, who is widely expected to sign it into law.
The legislation passed in the House by a vote of 83–67 and in the Senate by a narrower margin of 18–13, following hours of heated debate. Supporters of the bill framed it as a matter of state pride and tradition, while critics decried it as unprecedented interference in collegiate athletics.
"This is about protecting Texas excellence," said Rep. Kyle Renshaw (R-Tyler), a co-sponsor of the bill. "For too long, our state’s flagship team has been held back by outdated rules that don’t reflect the passion and dominance of Texas football."
The 21-point provision, referred to in the bill as the “Legacy Score Adjustment,” would be added to the Longhorns' scoreboard at kickoff for all in-state collegiate matchups, including games against Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech. Out-of-state opponents, such as the University of Alabama or the University of Oklahoma, would not be subject to the rule.
University of Texas athletic director Chris Del Rio offered cautious approval of the legislation, saying in a statement that the university “appreciates the legislature’s commitment to the Longhorn brand” but will “continue to prioritize sportsmanship, compliance, and competitive integrity.”
Several legal scholars have noted that, if signed, the law could face significant challenges in court or be overruled by governing athletic bodies. “State legislatures can pass a variety of laws, but that doesn’t mean other institutions have to abide by them,” said Dr. Lisa Corbett, a professor of sports law at Southern Methodist University.
Governor Abbott’s office has not issued a formal comment but indicated earlier this month that the governor was “receptive to bold ideas that promote Texas culture and values.”
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.