Horns down will not be an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the SEC just for the symbol being used as mentioned at the 2023 SEC Media Days. SEC coordinator of officials, John McDaid stated, “We’re going to read the context in which it’s done. What I ask my officials to use judgement of, is, is it making a travesty of the game, or is it otherwise affecting our ability to manage the game?”
During their days in the Big 12, the horns down symbol was called much differently to the extent that it could hardly be used at all by an opposing team without them being penalized for it. The Gator chomp, the Louisiana “L” and so many more gestures throughout the SEC are always used by opposing teams, and now horns down will be officiated the exact same.
What do Texas Longhorns fans think about the “horns down” gesture?
For Longhorn fans, one may think they would prefer to benefit from this call as it was in the Big 12. In reality however, it is quite the contrary. They have never asked for, nor griped about the symbol being used. Some fans actually embrace it as in response to the question I posed on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Never too much!!!
— Horns Down Fine Spirits (@HornsDown) September 13, 2024
On the contrary, they actually embrace it and do not mind it being used. In some cases, fans find it comical that other fan bases use it when they are not even playing the Longhorns. I tend to agree here. After reading this response, this could be viewed as the definition of “rent-free.”
It’s quite comical because people do it even when they aren’t playing us. I got a good laugh every time because this is the only thing I think of when I see people do it… pic.twitter.com/eANU4yRIBg
— Kathryn (@TexBlonde05) September 12, 2024
Fans of other fan bases of course were quick to chime in on my questions, even though it was directed towards Longhorn fans of course. One fan claims that they seem to get riled up at the mention of it.
They’ll claim to not care but they’ll get riled up when it’s mentioned
— National Champion CJ Vol 🏆 (@tophgrace84) September 12, 2024
Playful banter aside, it seems that the Longhorns have turned the corner as a program under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Coming off of an 11-2 regular season in 2023, the Longhorns are off to a roaring start which includes the first season opener shutout since 2004 and a road win over the Michigan Wolverines. Horns down or horns up, this is a program heading in the right direction.