What is the viral hypnotoad?

The mystery behind TCU coach Sonny Dyke’s sweatshirt.

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Feeling hypnotized yet?

Graphic by FTWtoday

The TCU Horned Frogs are on a roll this season. After 12 straight wins, the team is ranked No. 3 , its highest ranking since 2015.

TCU will face off against the Kansas State Wildcats in the Big 12 Conference Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. Grab tickets, if you haven’t already.

What we really want to know is if we’re gonna see head coach Sonny Dykes in his viral “hypnotoad sweatshirt ” on the jumbotron at Jerry World.

But what’s up with this crazy-eyed trend ?

The hypnotoad is a reference from the early 2000s animated science fiction show “Futurama .” The frog-like creature has large oscillating multi-colored eyes and makes a droning noise that hypnotizes people and animals.

In the past, TCU has put the hypnotoad up on the scoreboard while opposing teams were kicking to throw off the players. Now, you can get TCU hypnotoad merch in everything from t-shirts to holiday ornaments on Etsy .

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Kate is a Fort Worth native, having returned home after studying architecture and journalism in Alabama and New York. Her writing has appeared in interntional and national publications including Dezeen, Metropolis, Madame Architect, American Theatre, and Architectural Record. She is the co-author of “Dearest Babe, Letters from a World War II Flight Surgeon.”
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