Mayor Johnson proclaims Red River Showdown Week in the City of Dallas

DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson has proclaimed this week as “Red River Showdown Week” in the city.

The proclamation comes ahead of Saturday’s Red River Showdown football game between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oklahoma. The two teams play annually at the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas.

Mayor Johnson, a native Texan, is a fan of the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns (as well as the Southern Methodist University Mustangs).

“This game is one of my favorite events of the year,” Mayor Johnson said. “There is no greater annual rivalry game in college football than the Red River Showdown. And the historic Cotton Bowl in Fair Park and the great State Fair of Texas provide the perfect setting for this exciting matchup.

“This proclamation should send a signal to our residents and visitors that it is time to get excited and ready for a weekend of football, fun, and fair food in the heart of Dallas.”

The Oklahoma Sooners won last year’s game, 55–48, but the Texas Longhorns lead the all-time series, 62–50–5.

Here is the text of the proclamation:

WHEREAS, Since October 10, 1900, The University of Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma University Sooners have traditionally faced off in an annual college football game, establishing the longstanding “Red River Rivalry” between the two schools and their respective fans; and

WHEREAS, The Longhorns and Sooners have faced off 117 times since 1900 and are set to play in their 118th game on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, during the State Fair of Texas; and

WHEREAS, The annual showdown has provided countless memories and a lasting and exciting rivalry between fans of the two teams; The Longhorns lead the all-time series between the University of Texas and Oklahoma University; But the Sooners eked out a victory in during the 2021 Red River Showdown; and

WHEREAS, Since 1929, the teams have played the annual Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, previously known as the Fair Park Stadium, at Fair Park in South Dallas; The competitive matchup brings fans from all over the country to the City of Dallas for the annual game, which is historically played during the State Fair of Texas; and

WHEREAS, The City of Dallas is thrilled to host the Red River Showdown and all the fans, decked out in either burnt orange or crimson attire, who come to cheer on their team and to enjoy a day of fun at the State Fair of Texas.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERIC JOHNSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DALLAS, do hereby proclaim October 3–8, 2022 as

TEXAS-OKLAHOMA RED RIVER SHOWDOWN WEEK

in Dallas, Texas, thereby once again officially settling the dispute over whether Texas or Oklahoma comes first.