Texas-Sized Hair Goes Viral: Meet Grant Walther, UT’s Internet-Famous Student Sensation
In a moment that would forever change his campus life, University of Texas sophomore Grant Walther transformed from an ordinary football fan into an overnight social media sensation, all thanks to his remarkably voluminous hair that caught ESPN’s cameras during a crucial Texas-Georgia game.
The 20-year-old government major (@grant.waltha on Instagram) found himself thrust into the spotlight when television cameras captured his distinctive hairstyle during one of the most significant games ever played at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. As Texas struggled against Georgia in the fourth quarter, Walther’s Texas-sized hair became the unexpected star of the show.
“I’m sitting there watching the game absolutely crushed by what I’m witnessing,” Walther recalled in an interview with WFAA, “and everyone around me is on their phones.” The bewildered student soon discovered he had become an instant meme, with comparisons ranging from Conway Twitty to Syndrome from The Incredibles flooding social media platforms.
From Viral Moment to Campus Celebrity
What makes Walther’s story even more intriguing is his surprisingly simple hair care routine – daily washing with two-in-one Dial shampoo is his only secret. Initially taken aback by his sudden fame, Walther quickly embraced his new status, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of both positive and negative attention.
“You can’t stop what’s on the Internet,” Walther reflected. “You just gotta roll with it.” This positive attitude has served him well as he navigates his newfound celebrity status on campus, where he regularly poses for photos with fellow students and receives spontaneous applause when entering classrooms.
More Than Just a Meme
Despite playful jabs from outlets like Barstool Sports about his presence at recent Texas losses, Walther maintains his dedication to the Longhorns runs deep. “I’ve gotten to every single Texas home football game except for one since I’ve been a freshman,” he proudly states, defending his fan credentials.
Most notably, Walther is considering using his viral fame for a greater purpose. Coming from a family affected by cancer, he’s expressed interest in potentially turning his distinctive hair into a fundraising opportunity. “If there was ever an opportunity… towards the end of this football season… to cut my hair for cancer research purposes and turn this into an amazing fundraising opportunity, that’d be something that I’d be very, very willing to do.”