The USC Trojans football program has twice aligned its promotional efforts with Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," as well as the legend of the Trojan Horse, without seemingly accounting for the historical outcomes detailed in these narratives. The Trojans, in both instances, were the defeated party.
Most recently, USC Football posted a hype poster for its 2026 season, set to begin August 29. The poster featured the Trojans' helmet and the tagline, "Our Odyssey begins August 29." This references "The Odyssey," which chronicles the Greek hero Odysseus's arduous 10-year journey home following the Trojan War. The epic, however, details the sacking of Troy and the demise of its warriors, framing the Greeks as the victors.
This marks the second time in less than two years that USC has drawn upon Greek literature for its branding, only to inadvertently highlight its mascot's historical defeat. Prior to the 2024 season, the team released a video showcasing players emerging from a Trojan Horse. The narrative of the Trojan Horse, however, involves the Greeks using the subterfuge to infiltrate and conquer Troy, with the Trojans being the ones who brought the horse into their city and were subsequently slaughtered.
Greg Gutfeld, commenting on a related cultural critique, suggested that applying modern interpretations to ancient texts can be a form of "lazy" analysis. While not every fan may be deeply familiar with the intricacies of ancient Greek poetry, the association of the USC Trojans with the destruction of Troy presents a notable branding misstep for an institution whose identity is tied to that ancient city.
The recurring thematic oversight has led to public commentary, with some observers noting the irony of USC aligning itself with stories that depict its namesake city's downfall, particularly when promoting an upcoming football season.
