Question: Who originated the phrase “Don’t Mess With Texas”?
Answer: Tim McClure of the GSD&M advertising agency, which was contracted by the Texas Department of Transportation in 1985 to produce a slogan for an anti-littering campaign. TxDOT officials initially opposed the slogan, but stars like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, and Chuck Norris helped it become a wild success.
Aside from being credited for a 72% reduction in roadside litter between 1987 and 1990, the phrase became an expression of Texas identity and pride. Although TxDOT has a trademark on the slogan, others have capitalized on its popularity. It’s emblazoned on a plaque on the Madison Avenue Walk of Fame, and it’s the motto of the U.S. Navy submarine USS Texas.
