The Big 12 does not want anyone messing with Texas — or anyone else, for that matter.
The Big 12 coordinator of officials, Greg Burks, announced at Thursday’s media day that the conference plans to crack down on taunting penalties for the upcoming 2021 season.
Specifically, Burks addressed the “Horns Down” gesture that is often directed at Texas players and has usually been left up to the officials’ judgment to penalize.
“Lemme put it this way,” Burks said, per ESPN. “If you do a Horns Down to a Texas player as an opponent, that’s probably going to be a foul.”
However, Burks added that if a player were to give the “Horns Down” symbol toward fans in the seats it “probably” will not be a penalty, although it may depend on the circumstances.
“Please all of you not, I said ‘probably,’” Burks said. “We have to consider intent and consider the situation. We’ll leave it to officials.”
There has never before been a definitive rule on the “Horns Down” gesture, but it has become a topic of discussion in recent years, particularly back in 2018 when West Virginia was flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties when Moutnaineers quarterback Will Grier gave the “Horns Down” gesture toward Texas fans after scoring the game-winning two-point conversion.
Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said a month later that it was left up to the discretion of the officials.
But Burks said taunting in general will be a focal point.
“I promise you, we discuss this ever year, because you discuss this every year,” Burks said on Thursday. “I hope in the future that somebody else’s symbols will come into play and not just the Horns.”
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