It has been a while since Colt McCoy put on a burnt orange, No. 12 jersey for the Texas Longhorns. In fact, it's been nearly 15 years. However, the Longhorn legend could never forget what it means to wear "Texas" across his chest and just how special his time with the Horns was.
I sat down with McCoy to talk all about his career since hanging up the cleats, what he thinks about the Texas team these days, and even how I can bring a little salvation to my more-than-disappointing fantasy football season.
When I asked McCoy what he's been up to since retiring, his face immediately lit up. Obviously, after playing the sport for his entire life, he misses stepping onto the field but he has been able to spend his time in a way that may be even more special.
"I recently moved back to Texas," McCoy said. "I spend a lot of time with my wife and kids which is amazing."
The Texas native grew up just a few hours from Austin and the Longhorns' Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. He has since returned to DKR and spoke about how his kids even thought the Horns' game against Louisiana-Monroe earlier this season was one of the coolest things they'd ever seen – including McCoy's games in the NFL.
What an absolute dream come true.
— sam (@samfarisss) November 21, 2024
This afternoon, I got to "sit down" with Colt McCoy to talk about his career since retiring, Texas' season, and all things college football (including my struggling fantasy football team).
Thank you again, @ColtMcCoy, and as always, Hook'Em 🤘 pic.twitter.com/bPnjm94Tur
The Texas football stadium has gone under millions of dollars of renovations since McCoy last took a snap on the field but the Longhorn spirit is alive and well. He spoke about how special game days are in Austin and how much they mean to him
"I don't think there's anything that compares to the game day experience at Texas," McCoy said.
I grew up a Longhorn fan so we reflected on McCoy's career for the Horns, especially his times playing against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Oklahoma Sooners, and Texas A&M Aggies.
"Players will quickly clue into what the in-state rivalry means," McCoy said. "You have the Southwest rivalry with Arkansas and playing Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, but the in-state aspect is something else."
The last time the Longhorns played the Aggies, McCoy's younger brother, Case McCoy, was the starting quarterback for Texas and defeated Texas A&M in 2011.
After some back and forth about just how special the reunion between Texas and Texas A&M will be, we talked a bit about football as a whole. How exciting the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs, how well head coach Steve Sarkisian has handled the Horns' entrance into the SEC, and how terrible one of my fantasy football teams has become.
Recently, McCoy made an appearance as a backup, professional wasp killer – the latest in a recent series of Progressive commercials, all featuring notorious NFL backup quarterbacks. Alongside featuring the former stars, Progressive has started a program that helps bring some refuge to football fans struggling with their fantasy seasons.
McCoy has become a huge supporter of Progressive's Fantasy Backup Plan sweepstakes that gives people at the bottom of their fantasy leagues, a chance to win part of a $59,000 total prize.
While McCoy may not be on your fantasy roster this year or on Texas' sidelines in the same way that he once was, his love for the Longhorns and the game of football hasn't lessened, and most likely never will.