Forty years ago today, the October 9, 1985, Battalion published an advertisement promoting the sale of the 12th Man towel. This marked the beginning of a new tradition that coincided with our first conference championship in 18 years. It also helped elevate A&M football's popularity and game experience, as our last three home games were televised as night games on ESPN.

I'm sure Rabid Cougar will provide more information on that '85 season from the 12th man teams' perspective, and how they came about to waving the towels before kickoffs.

**September 14, 1985**: at Alabama - Loss 10-23
**September 21, 1985**: vs. Northeast Louisiana - Win 31-17
**September 28, 1985**: vs. Tulsa - Win 45-10
**October 5, 1985**: at Texas Tech - Win 28-27
**October 12, 1985**: vs. Houston - Win 43-16
**October 19, 1985**: at Baylor - Loss 15-20
**October 26, 1985**: at Rice - Win 43-28
**November 2, 1985**: vs. SMU - Win 19-17
**November 16, 1985**: vs. Arkansas - Win 10-6
**November 23, 1985**: at TCU - Win 53-6
**November 28, 1985**: vs. Texas - Win 42-10
**January 1, 1986**: vs. Auburn (Cotton Bowl) - Win 36-16

I attended the UH game and Corton bowl that year.

It felt like the towels were entrenched a year before that but I guess this is correct.

Sherril had been in Pittsburgh and learned about the terrible towels up there and devised the idea for the 12th man kickoff squad right ?

I believe Jackie Sherrill started the tradition and owned the rights to the 12th man towel and gave the student body government the rights at no charge. They, then gave it to the 12th man foundation.

Jackie never profited a cent from the towels. He also started the 12th man kick off team that Slocum reduced to one player. He also took the fall for the 80's scandal that all the SWC teams were involved in. The NCAA black balled him from coaching after Mississippi State in which he sued and after 20 plus years, the case was recently settled.

He is a good man and really put ATM on the map in the 80's. Slocum rode the momentum that Sherrill built. I would personally rank Sherrill's contribution to A&M as high as Manziel's in terms of brand recognition.

He did, and continues to do, a lot for this university and isn't publicly recognized for it.

I would have thought that he would at least have had an entrance at the stadium named after him. He needs to be recognized in some way while he is still able to appreciate it personally.

And yes, I am a huge fan, as we all should be.

Didn't realize it was that new.

So those students definitely got called "high school" for wanting to try something new. Damn new old army.

none of you wear mums. all i see is girls at games dressed like street walkers.

I have said for many years and 100% truly believe that had Jackie Sherrill remained as head coach that Texas A&M would have won at least one National Championship in the 1990's.

The NCAA violations and subsequent penalties received in 1988 did have an impact and although Sherrill wasn't found guilty of any wrongdoing , he resigned amid allegations.

Fast forward to 1993, and again RC Slocum wasn't found of any wrongdoing but once again A&M is under NCAA investigation resulting in probation, TV ban, bowl ban, scholarship reduction starting in 1994.

I don't think some realize how close Texas A&M was to receiving the " Death Penalty" when we went before the NCAA in November of 1993.

The mid 1980's to early / Mid 1990's was the most successful run in the history of Texas A&M Football.
Without NCAA infractions, investigations , probations, loss of scholarships , no bowl in 1988 and 1994 and no TV in 1994…and the loss of Jackie Sherrill , I think it would have been even greater than it was.

And that is not a knock on Slocum at all. RC kept the ball rolling and won 3 conference titles in the early 1990's (4 if not for being on probation) and a Big 12 title in 1998.
IMO Jackie was a different level however

Aggie said:

---

I have said for many years and 100% truly believe that had Jackie Sherrill remained as head coach that Texas A&M would have won at least one National Championship in the 1990's.

The NCAA violations and subsequent penalties received in 1988 did have an impact and although Sherrill wasn't found guilty of any wrongdoing , he resigned amid allegations.

Fast forward to 1993, and again RC Slocum wasn't found of any wrongdoing but once again A&M is under NCAA investigation resulting in probation, TV ban, bowl ban, scholarship reduction starting in 1994.

I don't think some realize how close Texas A&M was to receiving the " Death Penalty" when we went before the NCAA in November of 1993.

The mid 1980's to early / Mid 1990's was the most successful run in the history of Texas A&M Football.
Without NCAA infractions, investigations , probations, loss of scholarships , no bowl in 1988 and 1994 and no TV in 1994…and the loss of Jackie Sherrill , I think it would have been even greater than it was.

And that is not a knock on Slocum at all. RC kept the ball rolling and won 3 conference titles in the early 1990's and a Big 12 title in 1998.
IMO Jackie was a different level however

---

They do have the Jackie Sherrill Lettermen's Club in the stadium.

I like how our SEC rivals claim the towels are "high school" while they wave a pom-pom. Theres just nothing more masculine.

I definitely need to remind them about the Steelers.

Thank you for clarifying that.

Our fans are evenly split between rabid rule followers and look the other way types. Each part loves posting here on legal issues that are unrelated to football.

I've mentioned before meeting the tight end for SMU that was at the center of their death penalty. My opinion of him was kind of what I thought of star jocks in high school such as Wade Wilson at Commerce and Tim Sanders at Haltom that I played with. Both were definitely a cut above and red carpets rolled out in front of them pretty much wherever they went. The difference between that kind of attention and paying them was a tiny step and easy for someone like Albert to step across.

You couldn't tell by talking to him that he was "on the grift" and the set up wasn't that much deeper from from post-Cain housing. And I'm absolutely positive monitoring post-Cain privately offered housing in BCS offered similar opportunities though of course our compliance office prevented the worst offenses (wink, wink.)

Now that the NCAA has repeatedly lost suits against them and reformed it completely, it's probably time to recognize that the UIL and NCAA did much damage in protecting bad behavior in the name of reforming it and especially the. UIL's close proximity to a certain school in Austin showed up as recently as the LHN contract which never did anything for ESPN other than give them an extremely successful (at least skin deep) program to promote for eyeballs. Live sports is in fact the last hill to die on of broadcast TV.

You gave an excellent synopsis of the period, and you even did it without bringing up the influence of that school on Austin.

Delta Chi has sure made some headlines in recent years.

Rent a friend - Join a Frat.

AG 87 said:

---

I believe Jackie Sherrill started the tradition and owned the rights to the 12th man towel and gave the student body government the rights at no charge. They, then gave it to the 12th man foundation.

Jackie never profited a cent from the towels. He also started the 12th man kick off team that Slocum reduced to one player. He also took the fall for the 80's scandal that all the SWC teams were involved in. The NCAA black balled him from coaching after Mississippi State in which he sued and after 20 plus years, the case was recently settled.

He is a good man and really put ATM on the map in the 80's. Slocum rode the momentum that Sherrill built. I would personally rank Sherrill's contribution to A&M as high as Manziel's in terms of brand recognition.

He did, and continues to do, a lot for this university and isn't publicly recognized for it.

I would have thought that he would at least have had an entrance at the stadium named after him. He needs to be recognized in some way while he is still able to appreciate it personally.

And yes, I am a huge fan, as we all should be.

---

Well, not quite accurate.

Bobby Middleton actually started it, waving a towel as we took the field to cover in one of those early "buy" games that year, NeLa.

Coach saw him, & having been in the NE seeing the Terrible Towel, thought it might serve as a way to get the crowd even more involved/pumped as they watched us non scholarship guys cover kick-offs.

So, for the Tulsa game, we found these in our lockers prior to the game. ONLY the 12th Man guys had them.

We have joked for many years that our 12th Man Kickoff Team Foundation would've easily been funding scholarships for needy students, like we do now, had we been smart enough to trademark it. What could've been.......

My original was stolen by the KO Return team for tcu in '87. And I coudn't get to the ******* to get it back. So, I made my own that I used for tu & nd. Now framed awaiting hanging in our home we bought in June.

We can't tell you how many of those towels we signed in '85, sitting up in the press box. They were sold or given to folks, hard to remember now. Blessed to have been a part of that & to still have those relationships w/the guys & Coach.

I was at all of those 1985 games from October 12 through the Cotton Bowl. The night game at TCU was one of the coldest games I've ever been to. Fun times for sure.

Sherril was great, but would have not accomplished what he did without Slocums "D".

gigem70 said:

---

I was at all of those 1985 games from October 12 through the Cotton Bowl. The night game at TCU was one of the coldest games I've ever been to. Fun times for sure.

---

We played AT TCU in the afternoon under blue skies and sunshine

Quote:

---

Bobby Middleton actually started it, waving a towel as we took the field to cover in one of those early "buy" games that year, NeLa.

---

I remember that!!

I'm not that into statues, but DAMN Jackie Sherrill deserves one- AND NOW!!!

Let the lens of history dictate, so it doesnt become commonplace.

One for Sherrill, and maybe one for Billy Pickard!

Wife and I were both there also. That blue norther had just blown through. Wind would cut through you it was so cold.

ABATTBQ87 said:

---

gigem70 said:

---

I was at all of those 1985 games from October 12 through the Cotton Bowl. The night game at TCU was one of the coldest games I've ever been to. Fun times for sure.

---

We played AT TCU in the afternoon under blue skies and sunshine

---

He's prob thinking of 1984. That was the game Sherrill's team (and program) turned the corner.

Then followed it up next game with an "upset" win over Texas and a complete dismantlingof them 37-12.

'84 was a bright sunny Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. '86 was a night game we won 74-10. TCU ******* hit me low on the KO, deep quad bruise forced me to miss the only chance I had to play in Austin. Luckily I healed in time to travel w/the 1st team to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.

Great memories of those years! That's why we wrote a book!

12thMan9 said:

---

'84 was a bright sunny Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. '86 was a night game we won 74-10. TCU ******* hit me low on the KO, deep quad bruise forced me to miss the only chance I had to play in Austin. Luckily I healed in time to travel w/the 1st team to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.

Great memories of those years! That's why we wrote a book!

---

1986 was an early Kickoff; it was foggy and drizzly as we marched into Kyle Field

Great link. Rest of that page is pretty interesting too.

Iowa ranked #1? Research shows they finished #10, top of the Big 10, w/ OU nationals.

Kent Hance running for governor.
PLO ambassador speaking at Rudder.
Great shelves you could rent!

And most importantly, mums for sale.

12thMan9 said:

---

'84 was a bright sunny Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. '86 was a night game we won 74-10. TCU ******* hit me low on the KO, deep quad bruise forced me to miss the only chance I had to play in Austin. Luckily I healed in time to travel w/the 1st team to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.

Great memories of those years! That's why we wrote a book!

---

I've got that book, and love it. Signed by Sherrill and a number of the kickoff team members.

The 12th Man Kickoff Team Foundation had a fundraiser in Corpus Christi back in 2013, and Jackie brought down a number of people with him - kickoff team members and others. I remember talking with Warren Barhorst and Dennis Mudd that night, from the kickoff team. Others as well, though I don't recall names. Mudd was from Yoakam, and we had a mutual friend from there, so chatted for a bit.

Also there that night were Larry Kelm (RIP), Dana Batiste, and surprisingly Tony Dorsett. I got a picture with Jackie, Larry & Dana, one with Dennis and Warren, and one with Dorsett, so it was a great night.

ABATTBQ87 said:

---

12thMan9 said:

---

'84 was a bright sunny Saturday AFTER Thanksgiving. '86 was a night game we won 74-10. TCU ******* hit me low on the KO, deep quad bruise forced me to miss the only chance I had to play in Austin. Luckily I healed in time to travel w/the 1st team to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.

Great memories of those years! That's why we wrote a book!

---

1986 was an early Kickoff; it was foggy and drizzly as we marched into Kyle Field

---

I stand corrected. It was dark when I left the training room that game. Chris Ford suffered a gruesome broken leg & there were a few others in there. So I thought it was night.

I wonder how many Old Army guys at that time looked at the towels and considered them to be too New Army for them?

Jokes aside, what a wonderful tradition. It's crazy how Sherill is responsible for so many 12th Man traditions we see today.

PyriteAg said:

---

I wonder how many Old Army guys at that time looked at the towels and considered them to be too New Army for them?

Jokes aside, what a wonderful tradition. It's crazy how Sherill is responsible for so many 12th Man traditions we see today.

---

After we defeated tu 37-12 and then 42-10, winning the Cotton Bowl, all old Army concerns were thrown out the window.

My dad is class of 1958, and he was on campus with Bear Bryant and J.D. Crow, so he had no concerns about the towels.

No letting girls in the Aggie Band was another topic

As many may know, 2 girls showed up at the initial 12th Man Kickoff Team tryouts. Pick told them to take a hike.

Had a female trainer at our high school who had A&M lineage, wanted to be a trainer. Pick said nope.

King of the Dairy Queen said:

---

none of you wear mums. all i see is girls at games dressed like street walkers.

---

Username checks out

It was pretty cold at the tu game. Still remember cotton coming down from the second deck like snow.

Sgt. Hartman said:

---

It was pretty cold at the tu game. Still remember cotton coming down from the second deck like snow.

---

We were on first deck student side, I was 11,still have my towel...
Some time in the 4th quarter a t.u. lady in the row in front of us turned around, grabbed my coat and said "if you don't stop yelling and swinging that towel, I'm going---" my mom grabbed that lady's hands off of me and said "If you touch my kid again I'll beat your ass right here."
My little brother and I still crack up over that, never seen our mom like that before or ever again...

AG 87 said:

---

I believe Jackie Sherrill started the tradition and owned the rights to the 12th man towel and gave the student body government the rights at no charge. They, then gave it to the 12th man foundation.

Jackie never profited a cent from the towels. He also started the 12th man kick off team that Slocum reduced to one player. He also took the fall for the 80's scandal that all the SWC teams were involved in. The NCAA black balled him from coaching after Mississippi State in which he sued and after 20 plus years, the case was recently settled.

He is a good man and really put ATM on the map in the 80's. Slocum rode the momentum that Sherrill built. I would personally rank Sherrill's contribution to A&M as high as Manziel's in terms of brand recognition.

He did, and continues to do, a lot for this university and isn't publicly recognized for it.

I would have thought that he would at least have had an entrance at the stadium named after him. He needs to be recognized in some way while he is still able to appreciate it personally.

And yes, I am a huge fan, as we all should be.

---

This times eleventy billion!

AG75FYL said:

---

They do have the Jackie Sherrill Lettermen's Club in the stadium.

---

In regards to the Letterman's Club, it is my understanding the former players paid for the naming rights to the club as opposed to the school honoring Sherrill's contribution.