AUSTIN, Texas — Scott Wilson, widely regarded as the University of Texas’ most loyal fan, died Friday after suffering a medical incident while traveling to a Longhorns football game earlier this month.
Wilson collapsed Oct. 3 at baggage claim in Gainesville after his flight landed for the Texas-Florida game. CBS Austin’s Bob Ballou and Darby Brown witnessed the moment paramedics performed CPR and rushed Wilson to a hospital.
He initially showed signs of improvement but never fully recovered and was later moved to hospice care, according to a post on his Facebook page.
Wilson died Friday morning as his sister sang “The Eyes of Texas” at his bedside.
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The University of Texas and Longhorn Band alumnus had attended every football game — home, away and postseason — since October 1977, a streak spanning 47 years and 594 consecutive games. Fellow passengers on his flight to Gainesville celebrated his remarkable attendance record as the plane took off.
Wilson’s dedication extended beyond football. He attended more than 1,400 consecutive baseball games and regularly traveled to support Texas soccer, volleyball and other sports.
“I tell people I hold the school record for showing up because of all the sports I’ve been to,” Wilson told CBS Austin in a Jan. 2024 interview.
His Austin home was filled wall-to-wall with burnt orange memorabilia, including an entire bedroom dedicated to approximately 2,000 hats covered in pins from his travels.
“I’m going to show up, wherever it is, you know, Timbuktu, wherever it is,” Wilson said.
Even a global pandemic could not keep him away from games in 2020.
News of Wilson’s death spread quickly through the Longhorn community, with many paying tribute. UT Athletics Director Chris Del Conte says they will honor Scott Wilson at the UT football game Saturday.
“It’s my life — I enjoy meeting the people and all that,” Wilson said.
Memorial service details were not immediately available.