In a touching and deeply anticipated tribute, Netflix has announced the premiere date for its upcoming documentary honoring the life and legacy of the late, great Texas Tech Red Raiders. This documentary, titled “West Texas Red: The Spirit of the Red Raiders”, aims to memorialize not just a team or an individual, but a culture, a community, and a series of moments that have collectively defined Texas Tech athletics over the decades. For longtime fans, alumni, players, and those who have followed the Red Raiders through triumph and heartbreak, the film represents more than nostalgia—it is an emotional celebration of what it means to be part of a program that has long been woven into the fabric of West Texas identity.
The documentary’s premiere is scheduled for September 19, 2025, aligning with the university’s annual “Celebrate Tech” week, an event known for bringing together generations of Red Raiders. Netflix revealed the date through a heartfelt trailer released across its platforms, accompanied by a series of social media tributes from former players, coaches, and prominent supporters. The trailer begins with archival footage of Jones AT&T Stadium under the twilight sky, the bleachers filled with roaring fans, and the sound of the Masked Rider galloping onto the field. Narrated by a raspy, familiar voice, the trailer sets the emotional tone by stating, “They weren’t just a team. They were West Texas—tough, proud, unyielding.”
The idea for the documentary emerged in the wake of several losses within the Texas Tech community, including the passing of beloved former coaches and the growing public reflection on the contributions of players who helped shape the program across different eras. The phrase “late, great Texas Tech Red Raiders” doesn’t refer to just one figure, but to a constellation of legendary individuals—players, coaches, and even die-hard fans—who together gave Texas Tech its heart and soul. This wide-ranging tribute honors those who have passed but left behind a legacy impossible to forget.
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Daniel Russo, who previously helmed celebrated sports documentaries such as Under the Lights and Voices from the Sideline, West Texas Red promises to delve deeply into the culture of Texas Tech athletics. Russo reportedly spent over a year embedded in Lubbock, conducting over 150 interviews with former players, coaches, journalists, fans, and family members. The result is a multi-layered narrative that captures the Red Raiders not just as athletes, but as symbols of grit, ambition, and community.
The documentary traces the history of Texas Tech from its humble beginnings in the 1920s to its rise in the Southwest Conference and later the Big 12. Through rare footage and personal recollections, viewers will witness pivotal games, controversial moments, and unforgettable plays that have become part of Texas Tech lore. Whether it’s the story of Donny Anderson, the “Golden Palomino” of the 1960s, the Air Raid revolution under Mike Leach in the early 2000s, or the heartbreak and hope of recent seasons, each segment of the film is crafted to evoke both pride and emotion.
A significant portion of the documentary is dedicated to the Red Raiders’ cultural impact beyond football. The filmmakers explore Texas Tech’s success in basketball, particularly the men’s Final Four run in 2019, and the strength of the women’s basketball program in the 1990s, including Sheryl Swoopes’ iconic NCAA title performance. Additionally, the film shines a light on the university’s baseball excellence, its dynamic track and field presence, and even the traditions that make game days in Lubbock unforgettable—from the ringing of the Victory Bells to the sea of red and black that fills the stadium.
Yet, what sets West Texas Red apart from other sports documentaries is its emotional core. The film is not just about achievements and highlights—it’s about the people. Through the stories of former walk-ons who earned scholarships, assistant coaches who became father figures, and fans who never missed a game despite personal hardships, the documentary paints a portrait of a community bound by loyalty and shared experience. The inclusion of stories from players lost to illness, accidents, or tragic circumstances makes the film especially poignant, giving it a layer of reverence and humanity that extends far beyond the scoreboard.
Among those featured in the documentary are former quarterback Graham Harrell, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, and legendary coach Spike Dykes, whose archived interviews provide a window into the values and humor that defined Red Raider football. Pat Mahomes Sr. and his son, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, also appear, offering reflections on their time in Lubbock and the meaning of representing Texas Tech on a national stage. The film also includes emotional interviews with family members of players who passed away too soon, such as Luke Siegel and Andre Emmett, both of whom have become enduring symbols of the Red Raider spirit.
Another moving segment focuses on the Texas Tech Marching Band, the cheer squads, and the Masked Rider tradition. The film highlights how the spirit teams serve as ambassadors of the university and provide a backbone of energy and pride on campus. Interviews with former Masked Riders and band directors detail the immense discipline and passion required to uphold those traditions. The documentary even takes a brief detour into the emotional legacy of Raider Red, the university’s costumed mascot, revealing the pride and secrecy involved in playing such an iconic role.
What makes the timing of this release particularly powerful is the sense of transition currently surrounding the university. With new leadership in athletics, emerging sports stars, and renewed ambitions to return to national championship contention, the documentary arrives as both a memorial and a rallying cry. It offers younger fans and students a chance to understand the history that shaped their present, and it gives older fans a moment to reflect on what they’ve lived through, cheered for, and lost along the way.
Critics who have seen early screenings of West Texas Red describe it as emotionally overwhelming in the best possible way. The cinematography, editing, and original score by West Texas-native musician Cody Johnson give the film a distinctive tone that blends melancholy with celebration. Each chapter in the film’s narrative is punctuated with personal moments—handwritten letters, locker room footage, family photos, and stories told through tears and laughter. More than once, those early reviewers noted the use of silence in the documentary—moments where the images speak for themselves, allowing the weight of memory to settle in.
Following its Netflix premiere, the university plans to host a special screening in Lubbock, open to the public and attended by many of the documentary’s participants. The event will include a panel discussion with the filmmakers and a tribute ceremony for the families of those featured. Texas Tech also plans to integrate the documentary into orientation programs for new students and athletic recruits, underscoring the importance of legacy, unity, and the values that the Red Raiders stand for.
For those outside of Texas or unfamiliar with Texas Tech athletics, the documentary offers a powerful entry point into a world that is fiercely proud, often overlooked, and unbreakably united. In a college football landscape dominated by media giants and perennial blue-bloods, Texas Tech has always stood a bit apart—resilient, passionate, and uniquely West Texan. This documentary captures that spirit in a way that statistics and win-loss records never could.
West Texas Red: The Spirit of the Red Raiders does not aim to glamorize or exaggerate. Instead, it honors. It remembers. It gives voice to a community that has endured disappointment, celebrated against the odds, and stood tall in moments of tragedy. For those who have worn the Double T, coached on the sidelines, or cheered from the bleachers, this film is a love letter. For everyone else, it’s a story of what loyalty, identity, and perseverance look like when lived out under the blistering West Texas sun.
As the September premiere date approaches, anticipation continues to build. Social media campaigns using the hashtag #WestTexasRed have already begun, and fans are preparing to gather for watch parties, memory sharing, and tributes of their own. The film’s release is more than just a date on the calendar—it is a moment in the life of a university that continues to draw strength from its past while pushing forward into the future. In that way, this Netflix documentary is not just about the Red Raiders who came before—it is about the enduring fire of a program that refuses to be forgotten.
