Why do Aggie students do 'horns down'?

It's a question that keeps puzzling many of us, shall we say, slightly Older Ags:

Why, even though the Aggies and Longhorns haven't been in the same sports conference since 2012, do many Texas A&M current students show the "horns down" sign — even in contexts with no relation to the University of Texas, such as student group photos or campus events?

To be sure, "horns down" isn't limited to Aggies: According to ESPN, one early recorded use is a Baylor fan flashing the sign in 1963 — not long after the invention of the "hook 'em horns" sign itself — and today it's a strong tradition at the University of Oklahoma.

Other teams playing the Longhorns continue to use it, too.

But at Texas A&M, it's more of a puzzle. For students who enrolled at A&M after we joined the SEC in July 2012 — so let's say, the Classes of 2016 to 2024 — the Aggies and Longhorns have never shared a conference (though they compete occasionally in sports other than football).

Now, of course, the football rivalry is set to renew between the Aggies and Longhorns on Nov. 30, 2024. 

But it still leaves many, ahem, "vintage" Aggies curious: What was the motivation in 2012-2023 for the hand signal? And why at events like... last month's Texas A&M men's basketball game vs. Prairie View? (Just to choose an example completely at random, not putting anyone on blast, we swear.)

Before this moment passes into history, help us add to the sum of Aggie knowledge:

Give us YOUR reasons — via the button above or tx.ag/WhyHornsDown.

The mini-survey shouldn't take you more than about 12 seconds (whoop!) — and thank you!