Arkansas Halftime Locker Room Video Says It All

Razorback players relax while watching "The Polar Express" on TV following first half debacle against Auburn Tigers

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Nov 12, 2023 12:03 AM EST
Original:
Nov 11, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It didn't seem like it could be true. Surely this was an old video from another year or some other day, but after what little digging was required, it turns out the video posted on social media of the Arkansas Razorback locker room is authentic.

What is seen are members of the Razorback football quietly sitting on lockers hydrating or standing around while the team watches the traditional Christmas holiday hit "Polar Express" on television. No coaches can be seen, nor does there appear to be any concern about the debacle that just took place in the opening half.

So, here's the supporting evidence this actually took place today. First off, the young man standing at the screen lost deep in the magic of the North Pole is Anton Pierce, a freshman defensive back from Mills University Studies High School in Little Rock. That rules out this being from a past season.

Of course, there's the chance this could be another day, and had it been a different movie, there may have been an argument even if it weren't true. However, TBS was running its family Christmas programming Saturday afternoon and guess what was showing at halftime of the Razorback game with Auburn? That's right. Polar Express.

Christmas television line-up for Nov. 11 during the Arkansas Razorback game with Auburn. — (ChristmasTVSchedule.com)

Freshman running back Jazreel Bachert can be seen in the foreground and some of the other identifiable players are also freshmen, so there's a chance cartoon time is happening away from the bulk of the team. Either way, there is no doubt players were watching "The Polar Express" while, as the song says, their head coach's seat got "hot, hot."

HawgBeat reported a team representative later confirmed the video took place in the redshirt locker room. This falls in line with so many freshmen showing up in the video. Still, it brings to question what type of culture is being established with the younger players who will carry the program's future if they are permitted to hang out watching cartoons in the midst of a blowout.