The Lone Star Showdown between The University of Texas and Texas A&M has been an annual event for many, many years.

This year will mark the 116th meeting between the rivals, but back in 1999 the Aggie Bonfire collapse almost postponed the game.

"We owed it to all of them to prepare well for this game. This whole thing was about the spirit and the preparation to go play and we had an obligation," said former Texas A&M Head Coach R.C. Slocum.

After the tragic bonfire collapse, Texas A&M faced the dilemma of whether or not to play in their annual game with Texas.

"We felt like we would be better as an Aggie family to be together. Consoling each other and relying on each other rather than be scattered, take off for the holidays, cancel the game, and everybody go their separate way. We thought that there would be some real healing from us being together and supporting each other," said Slocum.

"Every Thanksgiving for the rest of my life I will pray for the family and friends of those who lost their children. You don't ever get over that. As I said, many times, I wasn't even sure if we should play the game that year. Maybe it all worked out better for the families that there was some celebration," said Texas head Coach Mack Brown.

Just eight days after A&M lost 12 members of its family, the Aggies took to the field to face off with the Longhorns. It was a welcomed distraction for the student body and the team which had dealt with so much that week.

"Everybody on this campus, that was all that was thought about, that was all that was talked about that whole week,'' said Slocum.

"There were so many emotions going that day. I mean obviously you had bonfire and it was one of those things that nobody really spoke about. It wasn’t like all week long everybody saying, hey lets win one for the gipper. It wasn't that type of attitude. Everybody knew it would be nice to win this game but it wasn't our battle cry," said former A&M quarterback Randy McCown.

Trying to focus on winning the game was difficult and the Aggies found themselves down by 10 at the half. As both teams prepared for the final frames, the Longhorn band paid an emotional tribute to those who had lost their lives.

"As much as we hate to say it, that day, Texas showed a lot of class on how they handled that situation. And I think a lot of Aggies look at Texas in a different light after that," said McCown.

The spirit of the 12th man took over the A&M defense and Texas only picked up two first downs in the 2nd half.

With just over five minutes left in the game, Texas A&M quarterback Randy McCown threw the game winning score to roommate and friend Matt Bumgardner.

"When he threw the ball up, it cast a shadow so bad that I lost it for a while. I just jumped up and luckily I saw it before it hit me in the face mask. I caught it and it was crazy," said Bumgardner.

"My last pass at A&M, as an A&M football player was to my best friend, who was my roommate, to beat our arch rival. I don't think anybody can go out on a better note than that,'' said McCown.

Texas A&M's defense closed out the game when Jay Brooks forced a fumble that Brian Gamble recovered. The emotions of that game and the week took over.

"It was a culmination. It was tears of joy, but it was also tears of emotion that had just been built up. There was even fans coming out onto the field and crying," said Bumgardner.

"Everybody that played that day will tell you that we wanted to win that game more than anything because the backing we get from the student body is so great. When it worked out that way, you got tears of joy, tears of everything. It was truly a great day," said McCown.

"I think the Lord has his hand it that. I mean it was just a game, but it was something that let us get going in the right direction again," said Bumgardner.

"You know it might have been divine intervention. We were playing the number five team in the country; it just turned out the way it needed to. I couldn't envision not winning that game. We had to win that game," said Slocum.

With a 20-16 victory, 1999 will forever be remembered as the Greatest Game Ever played.