Barry Switzer is not happy about the “Horns Down” penalty policy that will be in place for the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
Oklahoma was informed that players will be penalized for doing the “Horns Down” gesture in their revenge game against Texas. “Hook Em Horns” is the hand signal given by Texas fans to mimic the look of a steer. Adversaries will flip their hands downward as a sign of their opposing feeling towards Texas.
Switzer, who coached Oklahoma from 1973-1988, says the penalty is “bulls—.”
“That’s bulls—,” Switzer told The Athletic’s Jason Kersey of the rule. “‘Horns down’ is part of the history of the game. It’s a natural reaction. It’s like someone gives you the finger. You give them the finger back, right? Well, if someone does a ‘Horns up,’ you do a ‘Horns down’ back at them.”
We agree with Switzer, but the league feels otherwise. Unfortunately they are taking some of the fun out of the game with such a penalty.
West Virginia wide receiver David Sills was penalized for doing a “Horns Down” when playing Texas this season, and that was bad enough. It’s unfortunate to see a gesture that is so innocuous become a penalty.
