The Longhorn Alphabet
A children's book coming soon featuring all things Texas Football A to Z.
We’ve seen a lot as Texas fans in the last four seasons since I started writing Dance With Who Brung Ya. I started this Substack to combine my love of writing with my passion for Texas football. It’s been a wild ride and I think the content has gotten better as Sarkisian and the Longhorns have built a winning program. We’ll try and channel how the fan should be feeling each week in this coming football season.
But, I have some exciting news to share with you all that I’ve been wanting to let loose for a while. One of the best things about the last four seasons has been getting to experience being a fan of Texas Sports with my kids. That’s what fanhood is to me: it’s family, memories and shared experiences that get passed on through the generations. For me and my son, what started off as watching Earl Campbell highlights took us to the College World Series and then numerous Saturdays at DKR. More than anything, I hope years from now when he thinks about the Longhorns, he thinks of me and his mom, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles and all the people who loved him and wanted to share life with him, the Longhorns just happened to be a vehicle for fun experiences to be shared, heroes to be made other than his Dad and curse words to be learned, etc.
We’ve loved looking at old books about football together, especially alphabet books that took us through the legends of the NFL, the NBA, even wrestling. But, there wasn’t a book about the Longhorns that could get him (and other kids) excited about reading and allow us to continue to make memories around our favorite team together. So, I wrote one myself and through a major assist from my friend Jason, I found an amazing illustrator who has made the project come to life. The final illustrations will be done before Halloween and I hope I’m able to sell some direct copies before Christmas. It might be the New Year before you can get a copy at bookstores. I think the book will work on multiple levels, parents can read it to younger kids to learn the alphabet and as an intro to sports, but older readers can read the additional text, dive deep and learn even more. I was also able to get the completed art and the full text in front of a Longhorn Legend that you all might know and he has endorsed the book. Does the name Derrick Johnson ring any bells? I’m thrilled that The Longhorn Alphabet when in physical form, will get to be included in all of DJ’s libraries that his Defend the Dream Foundation supports. So, here’s a sneak peek of The Longhorn Alphabet: Texas Football A to Z. Please follow us on social media, share Dance With Who Brung Ya with your friends if you feel so inclined and keep making memories around our Horns together. Hook ‘Em!
“The Longhorn Alphabet is an excellent journey through the history and traditions of Texas Football. The captivating illustrations and engaging writing make it a hit with kids. As a lifetime Longhorn and a father, I’m proud to share it with my own children. It’s an amazing way to introduce young readers to the spirit of Longhorn Nation."
~ Derrick Johnson, Longhorn Legend and NFL All-Pro Linebacker
There’s nothing like sharing these memories with your kids and grandkids!
Congratulations! Hopefully this will be the first of many books!