Texas College Football Icons Mack Brown and R.C. Slocum Honored at MD Anderson's Fundraiser

The legendary coaches shared life lessons and personal cancer stories at the annual "A Conversation With a Living Legend" event in Houston.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Led by college football coaching greats Mack Brown and R.C. Slocum, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's "A Conversation With a Living Legend" Houston event raised over $1.5 million to benefit cancer research. The longtime friends and gridiron rivals shared powerful life lessons, practical jokes, and meaningful anecdotes about life, family, football, and cancer to a crowd of over 600 supporters and guests.

Why it matters

The event highlighted the continued importance of working together to end cancer, with the personal stories and commitment of the two legendary coaches serving as a powerful reminder of the impact the disease has on all of our lives. The fundraiser supports MD Anderson's largest-ever philanthropic campaign, which has already raised nearly $2 billion to accelerate progress in groundbreaking innovations and transformative advancements in cancer care.

The details

During the intimate maroon and burnt orange-gilded evening, Slocum and Brown shared stories about their 36-year friendship and coaching careers, noting that events off the field were often more important than championship wins or losses. Both coaches also spoke about their personal connections to MD Anderson, with Slocum sharing his experience as a patient who was declared cancer-free after receiving treatment there.

  • The event took place on February 3, 2026.
  • Slocum was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021 and was declared cancer-free the following year.

The players

Mack Brown

The former head coach of the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2013, leading them to the 2005 BCS National Championship and two Big 12 titles.

R.C. Slocum

The winningest coach in Texas A&M football history, holding the head coaching position in College Station from 1989 to 2002.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

A comprehensive cancer center dedicated to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention.

Peter WT Pisters, M.D.

The president of MD Anderson.

John Zerwas, M.D.

The chancellor for The University of Texas System.

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What they’re saying

“There are few things more powerful than those who lead by example in service of a collective goal. The steadfast commitment of supporters to our mission – and the reminder from Coach Brown and Coach Slocum that cancer affects us all – highlights the continued importance of working together to end cancer.”

— Peter WT Pisters, M.D., President of MD Anderson (Newswise)

“Everyone connected with my treatment, including those in the hallway and the janitorial crew, everyone was a helper. Everybody – 100%. I had not one single negative experience at MD Anderson. The people there are the best. They were there every step of the way, and I'm so thankful to be here.”

— R.C. Slocum (Newswise)

“Just to simply see how sick R.C. was and to know we really weren't sure whether he was going to be here or not, and to be sitting with him here today? MD Anderson's a miracle place that makes miracles happen and saves so many lives. MD Anderson changes lives and saves lives – that's pretty powerful.”

— Mack Brown (Newswise)

The takeaway

The event showcased the powerful impact that legendary figures can have when they use their platform to support a worthy cause like cancer research and treatment. The personal stories shared by Mack Brown and R.C. Slocum underscored the vital role that institutions like MD Anderson play in saving lives and transforming the fight against cancer.