Sarah Thompson
Every second weekend of October, the air around the Cotton Bowl fills with the unmistakable sounds of college football — the roar of rival fans, the brass blare of marching bands, the booming voice of Big Tex, and the smell of fried everything drifting from the midway, at the State Fair of Texas. For most fans, the “Red River Rivalry” between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners is one of the sport’s most storied traditions. But for a small group of lifelong friends from James Bowie High School in Simms, it’s something even more personal — a 50+ year ritual of friendship, football, and Fletcher’s Corny Dogs.
While commentators and oddsmakers crunch stats and compare quarterback ratings, “The Boys,” as they call themselves, are waging their own kind of psychological warfare — talking smack, swapping memories, and counting down the miles to Dallas wearing their Texas colors to divide the Cotton Bowl stadium into half burnt orange and half crimson, always hoping their beloved Longhorns bring home the gold-plated ten-gallon hat mounted on a wooden base, the Governor’s Cup and, of course, bragging rights!
Their story began back in 1962, when three six-year-olds — Danny Elkins, Michael Brock, and Randall Barron — started first grade together at James Bowie. They graduated 12 years later from the same small-town school, already inseparable. Each went on to the University of Texas at Austin: Danny studied pharmacy, Michael studied law, and Randall studied business.
In 1976, Danny and his roommate, Steve Bulgerin (from Eastland), started the TX-OU tradition, later joined by Michael and Randall. Over the years, wives, kids, and additional friends joined in the fun, but the core group remains the same.
On October 10, they will have attended 51 of the 94 games played at the Cotton Bowl, everyone paired with a Fletcher’s Corny Dog and a healthy dose of laughter.
“Getting tickets was not so hard when we were students, but eventually the best way to guarantee tickets was to become a donor,” Danny said. “Some years, depending on the number of tickets we needed, we would be at the mercy of scalpers, costing way too much and causing us to sit all over the stadium.”
After purchasing a Fletcher’s corny dog and a beer, they stroll through the automobile building to see the Texas Auto Show, which includes indoor and outdoor exhibits of new and classic vehicles, while picking up the famous burnt orange beads and other freebies.
“If everyone doesn’t sit together in the stadium,” Danny said, “we meet back up at the Corvettes after the game.”
Many years have brought change, of course. They all agree that college football was better before the transfer portal because it preserved traditional team loyalty, maintained competitive balance between rich and poor programs, and fostered the organic development of players over multiple years.
“I have to agree with Nick Saban,” Danny said.
“Immediate eligibility fosters the ‘grass is greener’ mentality, and every year the college football teams look different.
The Cotton Bowl has seen new coaches, new uniforms, and more than a few heartbreakers on the field. Since the group began its streak, Texas has been led by eight different head coaches — from the legendary Darrell Royal (1957– 1976) to current head coach Steve Sarkisian.
But Mack Brown remains the fondest coach so far.
“He was a master recruiter. He had the remarkable ability to restore the Longhorns program to elite status and connect with players, fans, and boosters,” Danny said.
“He won his first two seasons at UT (1998 and 1999) and then had a four-year winning streak from 2005-2009, and then again his last year in 2013.”
In 2020, the friends lost one of their own when Michael passed away.
But the circle remains unbroken. Another James Bowie classmate, Woody Hazlewood, joined the foursome . .
. “The Boys” to carry on the tradition. Now, more than five decades since that first game, the group is still going strong. This year marks their 51st Red River Rivalry together. And with the 2023 agreement ensuring the game stays at the Cotton Bowl through at least 2036, Danny says he’s not done yet.
“If the good Lord is willing,” Danny said with a grin, “I’ll make the 150-mile drive west to another ten games, hoping to see his Longhorns raise their team flag at the State Fair of Texas following the game.”
Because for Danny, Randall, Steve, and Woody, it’s about more than football. It’s about friendship, memories, and a shared love for Texas — where every October, win or lose, the Longhorns, the Sooners, and four faithful fans from James Bowie High meet again for “The Boys” weekend, checking off another Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.
