AUSTIN, Texas - Racist emails sent to the University of Texas amid a debate over the school song "The Eyes of Texas" were "abhorrent and hateful" but don't truly represent the Longhorns' alumni and fans, university President Jay Hartzell said Tuesday.
Hartzell was responding to a report published Monday by the Texas Tribune that featured emails sent by school supporters angry that a group of football players had refused to sing the traditional song after games because of its historical links to racist minstrel shows.
The Texas Tribune reported that the vast majority of more than 300 emails it received in a public records request demanded the school keep the song, and dozens warned that donors would withhold money if players didn't get in line. Several said Black players should leave the school if they don't want to sing.
Since Monday, at least two former players have tweeted they received threats from Texas fans for protesting the song.
"People who target our students with hateful views do not represent the values of the Longhorn community," Hartzell said in his statement. "A few extremist views in the sample of emails the Texas Tribune reported on do not speak for the 540,000 proud Longhorn alumni who actively support our students and university."