Investigation reveals how many Longhorns fans were identified for throwing bottles vs. Georgia in October
Texas officials were tasked with launching a complete investigation to identify those who threw bottles and other debris onto the field during the Georgia game on Oct. 19. The final tally? Nobody was caught. Nobody was punished. Nothing to see here. Texas officials sent a 10-page report to the SEC league office last month and […]
Texas officials were tasked with launching a complete investigation to identify those who threw bottles and other debris onto the field during the Georgia game on Oct. 19.
The final tally? Nobody was caught. Nobody was punished.
Nothing to see here.
Texas officials sent a 10-page report to the SEC league office last month and told the league not one single fan could be identified, according to information obtained by the Associated Press.
The report, also obtained by A to Z Sports, features a letter from UT athletic director Chris Del Conte where he apologies to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey for the "roughly 80 seconds" of disturbance during the game.
"Despite our best effort, we have not been able to identify the individuals at issue," Del Conte wrote. "We will take action if new identifying information comes to light."
"While our investigation does not show that poor fan behavior resulted from a gap in our policies and procedures, we are committed to improving our management of the game experience and having zero tolerance for actions that disrupt the game and/or the safety of the participants and patrons," Del Conte added.
Texas was fined $250,000, and the league also threatened to ban alcohol sales at future games. The league ordered UT to identify those who threw objects onto the field and ban them from future athletic events.
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UT President Jay Hartzell issued a stern message to the student body how the incident “embarrassed Longhorn Nation.”
“Now we’ve set a precedent if you throw a bunch of stuff on the field and endanger athletes, you have a chance to get the call reversed,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said afterward. “That’s dangerous.”
Texas ex Matthew McConaughey issued a statement to the students and said the incident was “not cool.”
“But let’s get real about the bottle bombing the field glitch we had. Not cool. Bogey move,” McConaughey wrote. “Yeah, that call was BS, but we’re better than that. Longhorn Nation knows how to show up, show out like no other, and still keep our class.”
In the weeks following the game, there were multiple incidents around college football where fans threw debris onto the field after controversial calls.
No. 2 Texas (11-1) will face No. 5 Georgia (10-2) again on Saturday in the SEC championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
