ESPN made the surprise move to show the pregame prayer before the Cotton Bowl on Friday night between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns.
The footage from AT&T Stadium in Texas prompted widespread praise from the millions of viewers watching from home - but many believed it was a result of the fierce criticism ESPN faced after skipping the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl national anthem.
Fans were left stunned and angry when the broadcaster didn't show an emotional rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at the Superdome in New Orleans, a day after the city had been targeted in a New Year's terror attack.
Horror unfolded when Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42 drove a Ford F-150 into crowds ringing in 2025 in New Orleans' French Quarter, killing 14 people.
The Sugar Bowl, between Notre Dame and Georgia, had been slated for New Year's Day but the game was moved to Jan. 2. Crowds chanted 'U-S-A' after the rendition in a heartfelt show of support, not that anyone tuning in on ESPN was able to see.
But a little over a week later, it appeared that ESPN was keen to show it had learned from the error.
A view of the national anthem being played before Friday's Cotton Bowl in Texas
The Texas Longhorns team pictured making their way onto the field for the game
OutKick founder Clay Travis certainly thought so, posting on X: 'ESPN got so crushed for not airing the moment of silence for the New Orleans terror attack victims at the Sugar Bowl that they are now airing the pregame prayer tonight. I’ve legit 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, took to X to say: 'After completely ignoring the terrorist attack at the sugar bowl, ESPN is showing the cotton bowl prayer. Amazing turn of events.'
Another spectator posted: 'Liked the prayer before the Cotton Bowl, and the fact that ESPN aired it. We need more of this!!'
The prayer was read by former chair of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, Fred McClure after a moment of silence for the New Orleans victims and those who lost their lives in the Los Angeles wildfires.
'Loving father, we seek your blessings today for all those gathered here and especially for those on the field as we come together to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, we lift up the young men representing the Ohio State Buckeyes and the the Texas Longhorns,' he said.
'Keep them safe from injury and harm. Instill within them a deep respect for one another, and reward them or their perseverance.
'We are grateful for the freedom and the privilege that we have in this nation to compete and connect through sports. Yet we are mindful of those who are unable to participate due to violence, poverty or discrimination.
ESPN got so crushed for not airing the moment of silence for the New Orleans terror attack victims at the Sugar Bowl that they are now airing the pregame prayer tonight. I’ve legit never seen this on TV before.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 11, 2025
'Lord, stir our hearts to tear down these barriers by striving to give our best, treating others with dignity and respect, and reflecting your grace and kindness in all that we do.
'Now receive all your glory, your power and your honor forever, amen!'
Ohio State went on to beat Texas 28-14 on the night and will face Notre Dame in the national championship game.
