Texas Player Caught Screaming Near Locker Room After Loss To Ohio State

The national championship matchup was determined in college football on Thursday, as Ohio State defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes were able to take down a formidable foe from the SEC, as quarterback Will Howard and defensive end Jack Sawyer were named offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively.

The reality of defeat appeared to set in quickly for some Texas players, including one defensive back who was visibly emotional in the AT&T Stadium tunnel after the game.

CBS Sports Austin's Bob Ballou posted a video to social media showing Texas DB Michael Taaffe crying and screaming near the team's locker room after the final whistle.

After the game, Taaffe explained why Friday night's game meant so much to him.

“This team’s so special to me,” he said. “Just for this chapter of this book to close for this team, as far as we can’t play another game together. That hurt. Emotionally that hurts. Just to not be able to play with those guys ever again, wearing the burnt orange.”

Taaffe said that the team discussed the future after the game and that everyone agreed to stay in touch with one another, but that the sting of the end of the season has taken a toll.

"This team’s not over. We’re going to stay together, we’re going to communicate, we’re always going to have each other’s backs. But, you know, the season’s over. That hurts.”

Taaffe then explained that he chose to attend Texas because several of his family members did so in the past, and that playing for the Longhorns has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“Wearing this burnt orange, that’s something I hold a lot of pride in my life,” said the defensive back.