ESPN’s coverage of the Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Texas on Friday night included the broadcast of a prayer on the field before the game.

The prayer was read by former Cotton Bowl Athletic Association president Fred McClure immediately following a moment of silence to recognize those who have been killed by the ongoing wildfires in California and the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans on Jan. 1 that killed 14 innocent people.

“Dear Father, we seek your blessing today for all those gathered here and especially for those on the field as we gather to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, we lift up the young men who represent the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns. Keep them safe from injury and Instill in them a deep respect for each other and reward them or their endurance,” McClure said.

“We are grateful for the freedom and privilege we have in this nation to compete and connect through sports. Yet we are mindful of those who are unable to participate because of violence, poverty or discrimination. Lord, touch our hearts to tear down these barriers by striving to do our best, treat others with dignity and respect and reflect your grace and kindness in all we do.Receive now all your glory, your power and yours glory forever, amen!”

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Ohio State went on to beat Texas 28-14 to advance to the national championship game against Notre Dame.

ESPN’s airing of the pregame prayer comes after a week of huge backlash over the network’s decision not to air the national anthem ahead of the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, which was postponed from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2 after the New Orleans attacks.

The backlash prompted the network to air the Sugar Bowl national anthem later this week during a Thursday edition of “SportsCenter.” Still, many fans considered the network’s gesture too late at the time. The network also arranged to air the national anthem ahead of Thursday’s Orange Bowl between Penn State and Notre Dame.

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Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Jake Majors (65) after a touchdown catch in the third quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Pictures (Jerome Miron-Imagn photos)

ESPN wasn’t the only company to face severe backlash for presenting the Sugar Bowl, either.

Allstate CEO Tom Wilson ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media with a video statement about terrorist attack in New Orleans just ahead Sugar bowlof which Allstate is the official corporate sponsor. In the video, Wilson suggested that Americans have an “addiction to division” and must “accept people’s imperfections and differences.”

General view of the stadium before the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Our prayers go out to the victims and their families. We must also be stronger together by overcoming an addiction to division and negativity. Join Allstate as it works in communities across America to amplify the positive, increase trust and accept people’s imperfections and differences. Together we win,” Wilson says in the video.

Many fans insisted they would cancel their Allstate insurance plans after the video aired.

Allstate later deleted the video from its social media accounts.