When the Texas Longhorns take the field Saturday against the New Mexico State Aggies they will do so wearing throwback helmets in honor of the 1963 National Championship football team. The helmets will donn the traditional burnt orange longhorn silhouette but will be accompanied by player numbers on top – circa 1963. According to head coach Mack Brown, it will be up to the players to decide whether the throwback helmets will be worn for only the New Mexico State game or for the entire season.
RT @mbtexasfootball: Numbers will be on helmets this Sat to honor 50th anniversary of 1963 National Championship team pic.twitter.com/c563Nmc7oH
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasSports) August 26, 2013
Many members of the ’63 team will be in attendance on Saturday, including David McWilliams and Tom Ford – both of which will serve as honorary captains.
In 1963 the Longhorns beat Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach and the Naval Academy 28-6 in the Cotton Bowl, finishing 11-0 and clinching the university’s first ever national championship behind head coach Darrell Royal.