The University of Texas National Championship 2005
Encyclopedia
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
by Opie Otterstad
Opie Otterstad
Opie Otterstad is a painter who specializes in paintings of sports figures and events. He graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelors Degree in Studio Art and one in Psychology...
. It was commissioned in 2006 by The University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
to commemorate the 2005 Texas Longhorn football team
2005 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2005 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season, winning the Big 12 Conference championship and the national championship. The team was coached by Mack Brown, led on offense by quarterback Vince Young, and played...
who won the 2005 NCAA Division I-A national football championship in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. The Longhorns
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
secured the championship by defeating the University of Southern California Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl
2006 Rose Bowl
The 2006 Rose Bowl Game, played on January 4, 2006, was a football game that served as the national championship of the 2005-2006 Bowl Championship Series...
.
The painting was officially unveiled May 6 and 7, 2006, at a gallery called Art on 5th. The work is oil on canvas. Following his usual practice, Otterstad completed the painting without the use of paint brushes. The painting consists of 15 separate images, each painted on a separate canvas and then stitched together to form a single work measuring approximately 5 feet high by 8 feet wide (1.52 by 2.44 metres). Each image features one moment from either the championship game or the ensuing Texas
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
celebration.
Some figures from past Texas seasons are also included in the background, such as James Street
James Street (quarterback)
James Street is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin from 1966-1969...
handing off to Billy Dale which was a famous play from the 1969 championship. Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
's face appears as a shadow behind the image of Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
holding aloft the championship trophy.