Kansas vs. Missouri Rivalry Revives: A Look at the Border Showdown

The Kansas vs. Missouri rivalry returns, bringing back the excitement for fans of college football. Known as the Border War until 2004, this intense competition began in 1891 and is filled with emotion and historical significance.

The rivalry began with deep-rooted animosity, which makes college football particularly thrilling. Recently, the Kansas Jayhawks intensified the rivalry with a provocative hype video shared on social media. The team rekindled old hostilities by referencing Missouri’s past as a slave state during the Civil War. This move led to mixed reactions, with some considering it too extreme.

In adjusting the rivalry’s name from Border War to Border Showdown, efforts were made to avoid invoking violent historical imagery. However, the video’s content brought historical references back into play, raising questions about appropriateness.

The video controversially labeled Missouri as “evil” because of its Civil War-era history.

Critics point out that applying such labels broadly isn’t fair, especially considering that no current University of Missouri affiliates were alive during that era. Additionally, many Missouri players featured in the video are African American, highlighting the complexity of the narrative used in the video.

Ironically, the song featured within the video, “Superhero (Heroes & Villains),” is by producer Metro Boomin, who hails from Missouri’s own St. Louis.

Despite the controversy, the rivalry remains as passionate as ever. For avid fans, like those who find themselves emotionally invested in every first down, the depth of the rivalry isn’t easily diminished.