Will players be penalized for making the “horns down” gesture?
DALLAS, Tx. (KNWA/KFTA) – When it was announced that Texas would be joining the SEC, one of the biggest questions from fans was whether players doing the horns down gesture would receive an unsportsmanlike penalty.
At SEC Media Days on Tuesday, John McDaid, the SEC’s Coordinator of Officials, addressed this topic in detail.
“Giving this signal to me isn’t offensive,” McDaid said while demonstrating the horns down gesture. “On the field, if a player does it, we have to consider if it’s taunting an opponent or making a travesty of the game. If a player scores a touchdown and, while celebrating with teammates on the sideline, gives the signal, that’s not an issue.”
“We already have similar gestures in the Southeastern Conference, like the Gator Chomp or the Shark Fin for defense. Over the years, we’ve evaluated these: is it taunting? Is it making a travesty of the game? Does it affect our ability to manage the game? If the answer is no, then it’s not a foul.”
Texas opens their season on August 31 and will head to Fayetteville for a matchup with the Hogs on Nov. 16.
