Smokey the Cannon

Smokey the Cannon. November 2, 2020. Texas Cowboys Alumni Association Officers - Edward R. Lopez, President/Executive Director . Lawrence Morales II, Vice President . Will Rogers, Treasurer . Matthew Mackowiak, Secretary, Smokey the Cannon Campaign Co-Chairs: Tommy Cowan and D. Kent Lance, Jr., Originally, "Smokey the Cannon" was created by the University of Texas at Austin's mechanical engineering lab in 1953, in response to shotgun blasts often heard at the Red River Rivalry. Two years later, Smokey was modified in 1955 to shoot twin 10-gauge shotgun shells and the revision was renamed "Smokey II". Placed here at the Texas Cowboy's Pavilion is a replica of "Smokey II" that was built in 2020 by Clover Machine and Magnum Trailers. The original "Smokey II" cannon is housed in The Frank Denius Family University of Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in the North end-zone in Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium and was used by the Texas Cowboys until 1988 when "Smokey III", a Civil War replica cannon that fires four 10-gauge shotgun shells was built by Lupton Machine and purchased by the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association., Smokey II's most notable appearances were in 1963 when a 21 gun salute was given during a public ceremony in front of The State Capitol after the death of President John F. Kennedy. Additionally, during the 1963 Texas Longhorns football season, Smokey was fired for all of the 11 home and away games, including the January 1, 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Navy, as The University of Texas captured its 1st National Football Championship. William Melton (New Man '61) and Robert Lowe (New Man '62) were the Texas Cowboys charged for the care of Smokey during both occasions., Smokey the Cannon is shot off at every Texas Longhorns score, kick-off, end of quarter, and most importantly, it is fired off after the "The Eyes of Texas" at the conclusion of every Texas football game.