I actually own a yearbook, The Longhorn, 1926, with his name embossed on it, Colonel P. L. Downs. His photo is shown on the board of regents page.

Post his pic!

That's REAL Army. This old army approves!

I grew up down the street from where Downs lived, corner of Jersey St and Dexter. What I knew of him was an old man who was full of cr@p who told that story about starting gig'em, it got better every time he told it. Pinky was not known for the absolute truth and could embellish a story if not outright make it up.

I lived in Pinky's house the entire time I was in college.

My first experience with Pinky was during a trip to Aggieland my senior year in high school in 1959 applying for a Agge scholarship.

Two of my classmates and I were walking thru the MSC when this very strange person walked up to us and started telling us a joke about a teasip.

We had no idea who this small, thin, strangely dressed person was. But he was extremely likeable.

Later, as a student, I often encountered Pinky in the MSC listening to him tell us teasip jokes. He was so important to A&M and to all of us students. He always greeted each student with a warm and friendly, "Howdy Aggie."

It was a privileged to have known him. He was a great Aggie.

An infamous story about Pinky that was well known when I was a student is on YouTube entitled "Pinky Downs & the Funeral."

The story is obviously false, but those who knew Pinky's devotion to his alma mater believe that if any event like that ever happened, it would be Pinky doing it.

He loved A&M and he loved his Aggies.

P.L Pinky Downs created -- Gig Em

The Fish really got hazed good at the Grove in the 50's.

Sure we all remember PL Pinky.

Pinky was there the entire time I was from 1963-1967. He wandered the corridors of the MSC, greeting everyone with his customary "Howdy, Aggie!" When asked to predict the outcome of an upcoming game, he always predicted a close Aggie victory, most often by the score of 14-10.

Someone asked if there was a remembrance for pinky when he died. I was there. He died the Thursday or Friday before Easter holidays in 1967. We had Silver Taps for him. The Corps made all the fish stay for it, we couldn't leave to go home for Easter until after silver taps on Friday night. I lived 320 miles away, got home just about sunup.

I'm an old man. Pinky was a old man when I was at A&M.

buttonhook said:

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I remember seeing him at games when I was small.Always around MSC before games.
Does anyone know the history about him.

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Knew him well, he was as full of s..t as a christmas turkey!!

I also had the pleasure of whipping out to Pinky in 1965 in front of the MSC. Our dorm was across from Cain Hall where the football players lived and I was taking a route around to the MSC by the Grove. A fine a gentleman as I had the pleasure to meet until Earl Rudder handed me my Diploma from A & M.

Lived in the Downs House......the house of Pinkie.......surprised we didn't burn it down but lots of great memories