- Nominations for the 2026 Texas Football Veteran of the Game are open; submissions must be received by Sunday, July 19.
- Anyone in the Longhorns community — fans, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members — may nominate a U.S. veteran using the official Texas Longhorns nomination form.
- Submitted nominations are reviewed by Texas Longhorns staff and program partners; finalists receive recognition at a Texas Football game with sponsorship from the Texas Lottery.
The 2026 Texas Football Veteran of the Game nominations are now open, presented by the Texas Lottery. Nominations close on Sunday, July 19. Fans and community members are encouraged to submit early to ensure consideration.
The University of Texas football program and the Texas Lottery invite fans, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to recognize U.S. veterans by submitting nominations for the 2026 Veteran of the Game honor. This guide explains how to nominate, who can nominate and be nominated, how selections are handled, and what happens after you submit.
Key Takeaways
- Nominate a U.S. veteran using the official Texas Longhorns form before the July 19 deadline.
- Anyone in the Longhorns community — fans, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members — may nominate a veteran.
- Keep your nomination concise and focused on military service, community impact, and any ties to the university.
- Watch the email you provide for confirmation and possible follow-up from Texas Longhorns staff.
- Provide clear contact information so organizers can verify details without delay.
How to nominate for 2026 Texas Football Veteran of the Game
Use the official Texas Longhorns nomination form to submit a candidate. This single, official form is the only method referenced for entering a veteran for consideration.
- Write a brief statement (one paragraph) explaining why the veteran should be honored. Focus on service, community impact, and any ties to the Longhorns or university.
- Collect contact details for both the nominee and the person submitting the nomination (name, phone number or email).
- Complete the official online nomination form and include your short statement and contact information.
- Submit the form before the deadline: July 19.
When preparing your submission, aim for clarity and specificity in the one-paragraph statement so reviewers can quickly understand the nominee’s service and impact. Short, factual language that highlights key points of a veteran’s military service and subsequent community contributions is most effective. If you have supporting documentation or a preferred method for organizers to reach you, include that contact detail on the form.
Primary nomination link (use this to submit): Submit a nomination
Who can nominate and who can be nominated
Eligible nominators include fans, alumni, university faculty and staff, and members of the broader community. If you are connected to the Longhorns community in any of these ways, you are welcome to submit a nomination.
Eligible nominees are veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. While ties to the University of Texas or the local community can strengthen a nomination, nominations are community-driven and aim to recognize deserving veterans from all backgrounds.
When describing a nominee’s background, emphasize the veteran’s branch of service and a concise description of duties or periods of service where appropriate. Highlighting civic engagement since military service helps reviewers see how the nominee continues to serve their community.
Selection and recognition
The Texas Lottery sponsors the Veteran of the Game program in partnership with Texas Football. Submitted nominations are reviewed by Texas Longhorns staff and program partners; finalists are selected and provided formal recognition as part of the Veteran of the Game honor.
What recognition looks like
Recognition typically includes public acknowledgment at a Texas Football game and program materials highlighting the veteran’s service. The Texas Lottery’s sponsorship supports the presentation and visibility of the honorees as part of game-day activities. While specific presentation details are handled by program staff and partners, nominees chosen as finalists receive coordinated communication about how they will be featured and what to expect at the event.
Because the program involves multiple partners, the presentation and materials are designed to ensure honorees’ service and community contributions are prominently and respectfully shared with fans and attendees. The nomination and selection process focuses on elevating veterans’ stories in a game-day setting.
What happens after you submit a nomination
After submission, check the email address you supplied for a confirmation message and any follow-up requests. Texas Longhorns staff may contact nominators or nominees to confirm details or request additional information.
If your nominee is selected as a finalist or honoree, organizers will share details about how the veteran will be recognized at game-day events. That information will come directly from Texas Longhorns program staff and event partners.
Keep your contact information current and monitor the email you provided for any clarifications. Prompt responses to follow-up questions help organizers verify information and streamline the selection and recognition process.
Tips for a stronger nomination
Keep nominations concise and specific. The strongest submissions summarize military service, demonstrate community involvement, and highlight any meaningful connection to the university or the Longhorns community.
- Summarize the nominee’s military service and branch.
- Describe community involvement or volunteer work since service.
- Note any meaningful connection to the University of Texas or the Longhorns community, if applicable.
Include one or two concrete examples that show impact—mentoring fellow veterans, community leadership, or long-term service efforts. Make sure contact information is complete so organizers can follow up if needed. Concrete, specific examples help the selection panel quickly understand the nominee’s contributions and the reasons they merit recognition.
How to structure your one-paragraph nomination
Use a tight structure to make the most of the single-paragraph guideline. Begin with a clear opening that identifies the nominee as a U.S. veteran and, if known, the branch of service.
Follow with one or two sentences describing standout service or post-service contributions to the community. Finish with a brief note on any Longhorns or university ties and your contact information for follow-up.
Example structure (replace placeholders with details): start with service summary, then impact example, then university/community tie, then contact details. Keep it to a single paragraph so reviewers can quickly assess the nomination.
Common nomination questions
Do nominees need a Texas connection?
No. Ties to the University of Texas or the local community are helpful to highlight but are not presented as strict requirements. The program aims to recognize deserving veterans from across the Longhorns community and beyond.
Who reviews nominations?
Submitted nominations are reviewed by Texas Longhorns staff and program partners working with the Texas Lottery. Finalists are selected from the pool of submissions and provided recognition through the Veteran of the Game program.
What should I expect if my nominee is contacted?
If organizers need clarification or additional information, they will contact the nominator or nominee using the information you provided on the form. Keep your contact details accurate and monitor email for replies after you submit.
Resources and related coverage
For the most recent Texas Longhorns program-led initiatives and fan events, see related Texas coverage and analysis. For listeners who follow Longhorns media programming and preview shows, check the Bucky BK LIVE stream: July 7 preview for related team conversation and context.
For broader recruiting and team recap coverage that readers often follow alongside program honors and fan-driven activities, see the team recap available at Bucky BK LIVE: Texas Longhorns recruiting recap 7/10/26.
Deadline reminder and final notes
Deadline reminder: All nominations must be submitted by Sunday, July 19. Submissions received after that date may not be considered.
For full instructions and to complete a nomination, use the official nomination form linked above. Your single, timely submission is the primary way to enter a veteran for consideration.
Source: Texas Longhorns
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can nominate a veteran?
Fans, alumni, university faculty and staff, and members of the broader community may submit nominations.
How do I submit a nomination and what should it include?
Use the official Texas Longhorns online nomination form, include a one-paragraph statement focused on service and community impact, provide contact details for nominator and nominee, and submit before the July 19 deadline.
