COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe is committed to remembering his late teammate, Jake Ehlinger, every time he steps onto the field.
This past Saturday, a distasteful sign that appeared on ESPN’s College Gameday disrespected both the memory of Ehlinger, who tragically passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2021, and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s past struggles with alcoholism. This incident intensified the importance of defeating Texas A&M, marking the first face-off between the two teams since 2011.
“Fans often try to get under your skin, and I was aware of that,” Taaffe stated. “I would be lying if I said it didn’t affect me a little. It required a lot of self-control not to react emotionally… but it made the game feel even more personal for me.”
In the game, Taaffe performed impressively, recording an interception that led to his team’s first touchdown, helping the third-ranked Longhorns secure a 17-7 victory over No. 20 Texas A&M, which earned them a place in the SEC title game. As he entered Kyle Field, Taaffe sported a pocket square with Ehlinger’s No. 48, honoring his memory. Although Jake was the younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, he never participated in any games during his two seasons at Texas after joining as a walk-on from Westlake High School in Austin.
Regarding the sign that mocked them, Taaffe expressed pity for the individual responsible, saying, “I feel sorry for him. I can only imagine what he’s going through and what he’s dealing with in life to believe that it was appropriate to post that… no matter how intense the rivalry.”
Following Jake Ehlinger’s death, his family indicated that they believed he had unknowingly taken a dose of prescription Xanax contaminated with deadly substances like fentanyl. Taaffe, who attended the same high school as Ehlinger, wanted to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.
“He wasn’t a drug addict; he got poisoned,” Taaffe asserted. “I want everyone to know the truth—he didn’t die due to an overdose, but rather from being drugged. He loved our team deeply, and I wish he could be with us today.”