Breaking News: L’Oréal Sarkisian and Steve Sarkisian Name Their Newborn “Crimson Hook’em Sarkisian,” Sending Shockwaves Across Longhorn Nation…
By Jonathan K. Bennett | Longhorn Ledger | April 9, 2025
Austin, Texas – What was expected to be a joyous announcement from the household of Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian has turned into an unexpected cultural and emotional whirlwind, stirring intense reactions across the University of Texas community, college football fans nationwide, and even touching off debates in the wider world of sports and media.
The controversy? The name the Sarkisians gave to their newborn son: Crimson Hook’em Sarkisian.
A name as unexpected as it is controversial — and one that has ignited social media, divided fan bases, and raised eyebrows across NCAA circles.
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A Celebration Turned Controversy
It started with an Instagram post from Loreal Sarkisian, wife of Steve and the beloved “First Lady of Longhorn Football,” known for her fashion-forward game day appearances and spirited support of the Texas program.
> “Welcome to the world, Crimson Hook’em Sarkisian,” the caption read. “Born April 6th. Already lighting up our lives.”
At first, fans responded with congratulations. But within minutes, the realization of the name’s implications began to ripple across Longhorn Nation.
The word Crimson, forever linked to the University of Alabama — the Longhorns’ most recent and emotionally charged rival — struck a nerve with Texas loyalists. Even more so given Steve Sarkisian’s coaching history at Alabama under Nick Saban, a connection some fans have still not entirely embraced despite Sarkisian’s accomplishments in Austin.
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Hook’em in the Name? A Twist No One Saw Coming
If the “Crimson” part of the name felt like a betrayal to some fans, the inclusion of Hook’em — a cherished rallying cry among Texas fans — only deepened the confusion.
> “This isn’t a name. It’s a riddle wrapped in a firestorm,” wrote one commentator on BurntOrangeBoard. “Crimson is the enemy. Hook’em is the soul. Together in a name? I’m lost.”
The name has since become a trending topic on every major social platform, from Twitter (where #CrimsonHookem trended within two hours) to Reddit and TikTok, where users debated everything from the psychology of rivalry to the etiquette of baby naming in high-profile families.
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Mixed Reactions from Fans, Media, and Former Players
The Longhorns community has responded with a mixture of awe, amusement, and outright anger. Boosters have expressed concern, and alumni from both Texas and Alabama have weighed in.
> “Crimson? Are you kidding me?” tweeted a former Texas linebacker. “I bled orange for 5 years. That name feels like a blindside block.”
Meanwhile, former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones posted a congratulatory message:
> “Crimson Hook’em — that’s fire. Congrats, Coach Sark!”
The media was no less opinionated. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called the name “either a brilliant masterstroke of branding or a catastrophic PR oversight,” while Stephen A. Smith declared the moment “the weirdest intersection of college football, family, and fandom I’ve ever seen.”
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The Sarkisians Defend Their Choice
In a hastily arranged press conference outside the football complex on Tuesday morning, Steve and Loreal Sarkisian addressed the controversy.
> “Yes, we knew it would raise eyebrows,” Steve Sarkisian said, holding his newborn swaddled in burnt orange. “But to us, the name represents a bridge. Crimson symbolizes the excellence and tradition of where I’ve been. Hook’em represents where I am and where my heart lives. Together, that’s our son’s identity.”
Loreal added:
> “We believe in unity, not division. We wanted a name that tells a story — his story. And we’re proud of it.”
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University’s Careful Response
The University of Texas at Austin released an official statement the same afternoon:
> “Coach Sarkisian’s personal family decisions, including the naming of his child, are respected by the university. The Texas Athletics Department remains committed to upholding our traditions and values.”
Behind the scenes, however, sources close to the athletics department say conversations were had between Sarkisian, Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, and select donor representatives to calm the turbulence.
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Cultural Symbol or Brand Risk? Experts Weigh In
Branding experts are now analyzing the situation, with many noting that the incident reveals just how emotionally charged college football culture has become.
> “This name is like mixing oil and water,” said Dr. Melissa Grayson, a sports branding specialist at UT’s Moody College of Communication. “It taps into two powerful symbols — but combining them creates emotional confusion, not clarity.”
She continued, “On a personal level, it’s beautiful. On a public level, especially tied to a legacy brand like Texas? It’s volatile.”
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Where Does This Leave the Longhorns?
For the Texas football team, spring practice continues, but the name of their coach’s baby has overshadowed scrimmage results and depth chart updates. Some players, speaking anonymously, expressed concern about the media attention.
> “Coach says focus on the field, but all anyone’s talking about is the baby name. It’s wild.”
Others have embraced it with humor.
> “We’re already calling him Baby C.H.S. — sounds like a football playbook code,” said a senior defensive lineman with a laugh.
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Looking Forward
The Sarkisians appear unfazed by the noise. In a follow-up post, Loreal shared a sweet video of Steve rocking the baby while humming the Texas Fight song.
> “At the end of the day,” she captioned, “our son is loved, strong, and ours.”
Whether or not time will soften the sting of “Crimson Hook’em” to Texas fans remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this name, born in joy, has become a flashpoint in a sport where names, colors, and loyalty run deep.
Only in college football can a baby name spark a national debate.
And only in Texas could it become a legend before the child ever learns to walk.
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