Football fearmongering: The latest tactic to oppose Texas school choice

Will school choice kill high school football in Texas?

That’s the latest fearmongering tactic being used to derail school choice in the Lone Star State.

Texans love football. The state produces the best and most college football players in the nation, fueled by the epic “Friday night lights” culture that’s been documented on stage and screen. 

And to think that somehow allowing kids to pick a school that suits their needs will kill that love? 

Nothing could be sillier and more ridiculous – and more desperate. 

School choice opponents are great at sounding the alarm that the sky is falling. They claim, and have claimed, that school choice will wreck everything from public schools to teachers’ salaries and high school athletics. 

But we’ve hit a point of critical mass. Enough states have school choice programs, about 30, and a dozen or more have enacted a form of universal school choice, eliminating income or zip code requirements, meaning we can see what really happens when students are given choices. 

Football-loving states such as Florida, Georgia and Arkansas have school choice programs and are still succeeding – on and off the gridiron. 

Indeed, Texas is one of the only SEC (Southeastern Conference) states without school choice, according to Gov. Greg Abbott, a primary supporter of school choice. 

“”Critics of school choice are falsely claiming that school choice will hurt high school football,” said Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s press secretary. “These are the same tired arguments that this vocal minority made 20 years ago in opposition to charter schools, and high school football in Texas today is better than ever.  

“Abbott will not rest until Texans have their voices heard and school choice is the law of the land.” 

While opponents know how to get people in a frenzy by claiming choice threatens something people hold dear, they never mention that the need for schools, sports and compensating teachers isn’t going anywhere. 

As long as there are children, there will be learning, competition and educators who are paid to lead them in these things. 

The exact way they learn may change, but the hunger for sports and desire for football won’t disappear. 

It’s also true that change is uncomfortable.  

School choice, like any new development, will bring shakings and disruptions, but we have to consider who we’re dealing with here. 

Texans are some of the biggest-hearted, strongest-willed and most capable people you will meet. This is the reason for the state’s success.  

“Everything’s bigger in Texas” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a mindset – and a reality (the state could actually eclipse California over the next two decades to become the largest state). Its economy is also booming. 

Do we really think allowing parents to choose the school that’s best for their child will destroy the holy grail of Texas football? And even if there are changes, will the big-hearted and can-do people of Texas come up with solutions to preserve their love of football and its success for future generations? You can bet they will! 

As sure as “God’s favorite team” still plays in Dallas, rest assured Texans won’t take any threat to their football culture lying down. School choice isn’t a threat. It may cause some temporary shake-ups, but football won’t die here. It can’t and it won’t.  

So what say you, people of Texas? Is your faith in your goodness and will to preserve football and adapt it to the refreshing changes of school choice, or to give in to the fear mongered by teachers’ unions, Democrats and the media who are intent on preserving their own interests?  

To keep Texas a land of opportunity and freedom, let school choice prevail.  

The love of football will coalesce around it, creating new opportunities for some and strengthening opportunities for others. 

Football is here to stay, not the fear and lies. 

In 2025 and beyond – and in the Lone Star State – let freedom ring.