ESPN made the surprising move to show the pregame prayer for Friday night’s Cotton Bowl between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns.
The footage drew widespread praise from the millions of viewers watching from home, but many believed it was a result of the harsh criticism ESPN received after skipping the January 2 Sugar Bowl anthem.
Fans were stunned and angry when the broadcaster did not show an emotional rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at the Superdome in New Orleans, a day after the city was targeted in a New Year’s terror attack.
The horror unfolded when 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a Ford F-150 into the crowd that rang out in New Orleans’ French Quarter in 2025, killing fourteen people.
The Sugar Bowl, between Notre Dame and Georgia, was scheduled for New Year’s Day, but the game was moved to Jan. 2. The crowd chanted “USA” after the rendition in a heartfelt show of support, not that anyone tuning into ESPN did either. can see.
But just over a week later, it emerged that ESPN was keen to show that it had learned from the mistake.
“Loving Father, we seek your blessings today… We are grateful for the freedom and privilege we have in this country to compete and connect through sports”
The College Football Playoff semifinal (Cotton Bowl) had a prayer to start tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/l7ZGM3LN0L
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) January 11, 2025
OutKick founder Clay Travis certainly thought so when he posted on broadcast prayer. I’ve honestly never seen this on TV before.’
Jason Romano, an executive at Sports Spectrum, also praised the move. He wrote on X, “ESPN showing a pregame Cotton Bowl prayer on TV? Good.’
One viewer, Pete Harris, told X, “After completely ignoring the terrorist attack on the sugar bowl, ESPN shows the prayer in the cotton bowl. Amazing turn of events.”
Another audience member wrote, “I liked the Cotton Bowl prayer and the fact that ESPN aired it. We need more of this!!”
The prayer was read by former Cotton Bowl Athletic Association President Fred McClure after a moment of silence for the victims of New Orleans and those who died in the Los Angeles wildfires.
“Loving Father, we seek your blessings today for all gathered here and especially for those on the field as we gather to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, we lift up the young men representing the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns ,’ he said.
‘Protect them from injury and damage. Teach them a deep respect for each other and reward them for their perseverance.
“We are grateful for the freedom and privilege we have in this country to compete and connect through sports. Yet we take into account those who cannot participate due to violence, poverty or discrimination.
“Lord, encourage our hearts to break down these barriers by striving to be our best, treating others with dignity and respect, and reflecting Your grace and kindness in all we do. Receive now all your glory, your power, and your honor forever, amen!”
Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 that night and will face Notre Dame in the national championship game.