I could try to explain the MOB mentality, but there’s a chance the MOB is insane. The above photograph was taking during UT’s annual thumping of Rice in Reliant Stadium back in 2003.
Some have accused the mob of being a mindless group of followers devoid of independent thought and opinion. Those in the know realize the MOB is unique – well, at least this side of the Stanford band. From the website …
Winners of the “championship in subversive musical tomfoolery” – Sunday Morning Quarterback
The MOB also is fearless in expressing its opinion when it encounters blatant hypocrisy. Just ask Todd Graham, the one-year sensation who took Rice to a bowl game and then bolted for Tulsa.
(All the other Texas schools knew this … the 2003 performance was based around the idea of the MOB taking over the Texas Legislature and basing state football standings not on wins and losses but on players’ grade point averages. Needless to say Rice – with an elite group of engineers, took first price.)
Contrast the MOB to another marching band in the state who distressingly only know songs with the word “Texas” and who wowed my parents by marching in a straight line, turning left, taking two steps and hanging another left.
The biggest difference between the “Showband of the Southwest” and “the MOB” is the MOB doesn’t take itself so freaking seriously. And that often allows for a somewhat unique perspective on the news of the day.
Long live the MOB (and the mob)!
