In the late 1990s, as Austin’s population exploded amid the dot-com and technology boom, local residents decided that the influx of new Austinites would not rob the city of its notoriously eccentric, bohemian cowboy culture. I gradually started to get worried. A local marketing leader named Red Wasenich came up with the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” during an interview on a local radio show, and the word spread. Within a year, it was on the backs of T-shirts, mugs and street signs in Austin and the Southwest.
Today, the slogan is more of a catchphrase than an embodiment of any real civic purpose, but it still subconsciously permeates the psyche of one of the best young college linebackers in the country. are. Or so it may seem.
Texas sophomore Anthony Hill Jr. is an All-American freshman who has emerged as one of the most important leaders on one of the nation’s top defenses. Through five wins, the second-year player recorded 31 total tackles, including three sacks and one interception. After recording a sack in each of the past three games, Hill Jr. celebrated with a particularly unique pose, as seen above.
Fans were understandably curious about what message Hill was trying to convey by bending over in that particular pose. It turns out he was simply throwing up bikini bottoms.
Texas LB Anthony Hill revealed that his INT celebration was inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants. “The episode when SpongeBob was walking around town blowing bubbles, that was it.” pic.twitter.com/tFXC5DTanB
— Eric Henry (@EricCHenry_) September 23, 2024
Yes, Hill is apparently a big SpongeBob fan. We probably should have known this for a while, considering he’s posted at least one photo of himself wearing an unsponsored SpongeBob T-shirt on his social media accounts. Still, to use the moment when the camera is zooming in closest to you as an excuse to represent everyone’s favorite bubble salesman, well, that’s weird.
And it’s perfect for Austin. Hill has become a clear fan favorite since his first breakout performance in Tuscaloosa, Alabama over a year ago. Now in his second year, with his production picking up steam and his demeanor looking even more like Austin, Hill could emerge as an all-time Texas legend.
For a place famous for admitting that “Ricky is Ricky” midway through Ricky Williams’ Heisman Trophy-winning career, admitting that “Anthony is Anthony” is a big no-no for the nation’s best linebacker. may be the way to win the Nagurski Award as…and the better team will be honored.
