There was no love lost from Longhorn fans Saturday morning for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz ahead of the Texas football game vs. Ohio State. The longtime Republican senator made an appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay” as crowds chanted “Ted, you suck, Ted, you suck.”
Cruz appeared to be talking with Rece Davis, the host of the pregame show, about legislation he’s drafted to codify a NIL “bill of rights” that would create legal guardrails for the name, image and likeness of student athletes across campuses. However, the GOP lawmaker’s words could barely be heard over the throng of fans booing and chants from the hundreds near the program’s set on near the LBJ Presidential Library.
Cruz did not address the crowd’s less-than-friendly reaction, speeding through his NIL talking points as the crowd did not let up. A post from his X account published just after 11 a.m. CT made no mention of the icy reception either, saying it was “Great to be in Austin.”
Fans online echoed the in-person crowd’s reaction, one turned their criticism to ESPN’s showcase of being “so out of the [expletitive] loop.”
The American-Statesman contacted Cruz’s team for comment. No. 4 Texas hosts No. 1 Ohio State at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Here are reactions to the appearance: