Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte dropped a strong statement after the Longhorns’ win over Tennessee that Vols fans were hoping to hear
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte had something important to say after the Longhorns’ 20-17 over the Tennessee Volunteers.
Texas EDGE Colin Simmons had a historic performance in the Longhorns’ 20-17 win over Tennessee last Saturday in Neyland Stadium.
He also had one of the dumbest penalties I’ve ever seen.
Simmons totaled 5.5 sacks against the Volunteers. After one of his sacks, he simulated using the restroom, which resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that gave Tennessee a first down.
I mean, that’s one of the most idiotic things I’ve ever seen on a football field. Simmons is a great player, but he made an absolutely awful decision in that moment — and he hurt his team in the process.
Simmons wasn’t the only Longhorn with a vulgar celebration in the win, either.
Texas running back Raleek Brown had one that was equally as vulgar, but it didn’t draw a flag.
(Side note: I can’t believe Texas posted that celebration on its social media accounts…)
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte issued a statement on the celebrations on Tuesday and he made it clear that they were unacceptable.
Here’s the full statement (via 247Sports) from Del Conte, which was published in his weekly newsletter, Forty Acres Insider.
“We can all agree it was a heck of a game and an incredible performance on the field, but I also know we had some major issues to address with inappropriate celebrations from our players.
“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. It certainly raised very warranted concerns that many of you shared with me, drew a lot of attention, and I understand why.
“Rest assured, Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] has addressed both situations with the players individually and with the team, and he discussed them after the game and again in Monday’s press conference.
“As he said, it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The message is clear — the players conduct did not reflect the values of Texas Athletics or our university and cannot happen again.
“I also want to add my apology to our Longhorn community and everyone who expects better from Texas. We should represent this university with class, dignity and respect at all times, and in those moments, we fell short.
“I do recognize that these are young men who made mistakes, and this is a meaningful learning experience. They have owned their mistakes, and those actions are not reflective of who they are. They are good people who made poor choices — they know it, we know it, and they, along with our entire team, will grow from this.
“What matters now is that they do just that and that our entire team understands the responsibility that comes with representing The University of Texas. We are proud of the team and what it accomplished Saturday and thus far this season, and we will continue to hold ourselves to the standard that all of you rightly expect from Texas.”
Simmons had a heck of a game which should’ve increased his NFL draft stock, but now he’s going to have to answer questions from NFL front offices about his on-field decision making.
