Categories: Dearly Departed

Creator of “Hook ‘em Horns” sign, Harley Clark, dies at 78

Former UT head cheerleader Harley Clark introduced the “hook ‘em horns” hand sign to Longhorn fans in 1955.

Harley Clark, the man credited with inventing the most widely recognized hand sign in college football died peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at his ranch outside of Austin, Texas. Clark is survived by his wife Patti, and four children. 

After graduating from the University of Texas Clark went on to be an attorney and District Court judge. During his time on the bench he issued landmark decision regarding public school finance.

Texas fans show it during the signing of the “Eyes of Texas” before and after games, and there’s seldom a touchdown where a player doesn’t flash it for the cameras. Longhorns opponents liked to use it just as often, turning the signal upside down in a mocking gesture.

The sign even reached the White House. It caused a Scandinavian scandal in 2005 when President George W. Bush and his daughter Jenna, a Texas graduate, flashed the sign during Bush’s inauguration parade. A Norwegian newspaper interpreted it as a sign saluting Satan.

Read the full story: Creator of “Hook ‘em Horns” sign Harley Clark dead

 

Share

Recent Posts

What’s It Like to Autopsy Marilyn Monroe?

The most famous coroner on earth may well be Dr. Thomas Tsunetomi Noguchi, who was…

1 year ago

Day of the Dead Takes on the World

The day after Halloween, and the day after that, is Day of the Dead, and…

1 year ago

Grieving for the Terrible Tragedy on Maui

Following on his recent posts regarding deaths by extreme heat, Justin Nobel shares his thoughts…

1 year ago

Death by Extreme Heat is a 21st Century Death

Few parts of the country have been spared from July's soaring temperatures. In fact, July…

1 year ago

Could tiny-brained humans have actually dug graves half a million years ago?

Deep inside a South African cave called Rising Star, scientists have made an incredible discovery—a…

2 years ago

Welcome to A Pacific Island Nation with 125 million people—and almost no gun deaths

Last week, in Nakano City, Japan, an evacuation center was opened in the gymnasium of…

2 years ago