Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte condemned the top-ranked Longhorns’ vulgar on-field celebrations during Saturday’s 20-17 win over Tennessee and said the conduct was embarrassing to the university. In his weekly “Forty Acres Insider” newsletter posted Tuesday, Del Conte made clear that similar actions will not be tolerated.
The celebrations that drew the response
Defensive end Colin Simmons was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half when he simulated urinating on the field after recording one of his team-record 5.5 sacks against Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon. Running back Raleek Brown, who started in place of an injured Hollywood Smothers, performed an inappropriate celebration after scoring his second touchdown in the fourth quarter but was not flagged.
What Del Conte said
“I’m not happy about that, I know none of us are, and it was embarrassing to our proud and widely respected football team, athletics program and university,” Del Conte wrote. “It certainly raised very warranted concerns that many of you shared with me, drew a lot of attention, and I understand why.”
Del Conte added that the conduct did not reflect Texas Athletics’ values and must stop. “It is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Del Conte wrote. “The message is clear — the players’ conduct did not reflect the values of Texas Athletics or our university and cannot happen again.”
Del Conte also extended an apology to the Longhorn community. “I also want to add my apology to our Longhorn community and everyone who expects better from Texas,” he wrote. “We should represent this university with class, dignity and respect at all times, and in those moments, we fell short.”
Team response and discipline
Coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the penalties immediately after the game, saying he removed Simmons from the field following the unsportsmanlike conduct flag. “We took him out, we addressed it, and we put him back in,” Sarkisian said. “At that point, you know what I mean, I’m not going to give the guy the death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
We’ve got to fix it, though. That can’t continue.”
Sarkisian indicated the players would face discipline but did not provide specifics. Del Conte characterized both Simmons and Brown as “good people who made poor choices” and said they have “owned their mistakes.”
Simmons apologized after the game. “I do want to say I apologize for the celebration,” he said. “I was definitely in the mode feeling myself. But it happens, charge it to the game.”
What’s next
Texas has an off week to review celebration rules and address the issue internally before facing Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 10. The bye provides time for the team to understand which celebrations are permitted and which will draw penalties ahead of that high-emotion matchup.
Reporting from CBS Sports, The Associated Press, Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated contributed to this story.
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