Texas’ Colin Simmons was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for “simulating using the restroom,” as the ref phrased it
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Colin-Simmons-092626-335ebc0cf57d491c9c0388caa55b67af.jpg "College Football Player Receives Penalty for âSimulating Using the Restroomâ During Game")
Credit: ESPN
NEED TO KNOW
- Colin Simmons received a penalty for mimicking urinating on the field after a sack during the Texas-Tennessee game on Sept. 26
- A ref gave the Texas Longhorns defensive end an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 15 yards “for simulating using the restroom”
- Simmons’ unusual celebration drew viral attention online, and he later apologized for his actions
As the Texas Longhorns took on the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend, one of their star players was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Texas defensive end Colin Simmons had one of the best games of his career as the top-ranked Longhorns took on their rival team in the highly anticipated match at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 26. However, during the game, Simmons, 20, also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for pretending to pee on the field.
After sacking Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon on third down during the second quarter, Simmons celebrated by miming urinating, game footage shared by ESPN College Football shows.
During his post-sack celebration, the star lineman pretended to unzip his pants and pee on the field.
Colin Simmons was called for an unsportsmanslike conduct penalty after a sack on 3rd down. pic.twitter.com/JO0CH6aeOf
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 26, 2026
Seconds after the 16-yard sack, the referee gave Simmons an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty “for simulating using the restroom.” It was a 15-yard penalty, and Tennessee was given an automatic first down.
The Longhorns went on to win 20-17 over the Volunteers, while Simmons’ penalty drew viral attention online. He later apologized for the incident in a video shared by FOX College Football.
“I also want to say I do apologize for the celebration,” the star college player said. “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. Charge it to the game.”
Credit: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Asked if there was any further discussion about the penalty after the ref doled it out, Simmons further stated, “Of course, but next play mentality. We don’t harp on that.”
During an interview shared by ESPN College Football, head coach Steve Sarkisian also addressed the inappropriate celebration and resulting penalty, telling reporters he plans to address it further.
“We took him out, we addressed it and put him back in,” Sarkisian said of the defensive end’s viral move. “At that point, I’m not going to give the guy the death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. We’ve got to fix it though. That can’t continue as we move forward.”
Colin Simmons addresses his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and apologizes for his viral celebration against Tennessee.
(via @EvanVieth) pic.twitter.com/tL8mgYzKsW— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 26, 2026
“We’ll address that on Monday and what that looks like, and how to control our emotions in the best way,” added the Texas coach. “I know guys are excited when they’re making plays. The best thing you can do is go celebrate with a teammate.”
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After Simmons’ viral celebration, the star defensive end went on to deliver three more sacks, including two back-to-back on a drive in the third quarter, bringing his game total to five — tying the Longhorns football program’s single-game sack record, per Yahoo Sports.
According to ESPN, Simmons is a possible first-round draft pick, and is widely regarded as one of the top defenders in the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference.
PEOPLE has reached out to a rep for Simmons for additional comment.
