Kansas used the actual Civil War to hype up a college football game with Missouri
SB Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- The longstanding college football rivalry known as the ‘Border War’ between Kansas and Missouri, rooted in Civil War history, is being renewed as Kansas (1-0) hosts Missouri (1-0, ranked No. 23) in their 122nd matchup.
- Kansas intensified the rivalry this week by sharing imagery from the “Tragic Prelude” mural, depicting abolitionist John Brown, symbolizing the historical conflict over slavery in Kansas.
- The Kansas football team released a video framing the game as a clash between heroes and villains, highlighting the deep-seated animosity dating back to the Civil War era.
- The rivalry references historical figures such as William Quantrill, leader of pro-Confederate Quantrill’s Raiders responsible for the Lawrence Massacre, and the anti-slavery Jay-Hawkers, emphasizing the moral dimensions Kansas associates with the conflict.
- From Kansas’ perspective, the rivalry transcends sport, representing a struggle between right and wrong rooted in their Civil War heritage.
