As a sold-out crowd at the Big House tried to will Michigan to a win over Ohio State on Saturday, Kanye West’s song ‘Power’ played over the loudspeakers during the early portion of the second quarter. The song choice made things awkward for Texas A&M.
Texas A&M football made changes to its pregame entrance because of West’s anti-Semitic remarks in the fall of 2022. It cut ties with one of the most exhilarating entrances in college football.
Back in 2012, as Kevin Sumlin prepared for his first year as head coach with Johnny Manziel about to burst onto the scene, the Aggies decided to change up their entrance. While doing so, it also changed its entrance song to the 2010 track ‘Power’ by Kanye West.
It led to one of the coolest moments in sports. Prior to every game, 30,000 students and 70,000 fans joined voice to chant along together as the song echoed throughout the stadium.
The whole thing happened organically. Texas A&M never intended to create such a powerful entrance, but it stuck and it was intimidating.
And then Kanye West went off the deep end.
Repeated anti-Semitic comments caused West to face serious ramifications for his disgusting comments. Adidas and multiple other companies ended their partnerships with the rapper.
As did the Aggies.
We’ve reviewed the situation for the last couple of weeks. We’re pivoting away from that song.
— Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork in Oct. 2022
Even though the decision made a lot of sense, it was rather impulsive.
What West said was abhorrent and unacceptable. Texas A&M could not continue to back someone who was using such hateful rhetoric. Fair enough.
However, about 13 months later, the Aggies are the odd ones out.
Michigan, a predominantly progressive school, played ‘Power’ during one of its games. Meanwhile, a largely conservative institute of higher learning in the Lone Star State was forced to change its entire pregame tradition because of public outcry that no longer exists. Awkward!