The University of Texas athletic director is publicly apologizing for his team’s vulgar on-field celebrations in their win over Tennessee last weekend.
During the 20-17 win, players Colin Simmons and Raleek Brown performed moves deemed ’embarrassing’ by Texas AD Chris Del Conte.
Simmons, a defensive end and top-NFL prospect, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after he celebrated a sack by pretending to urinate on the field.
As for Brown, he celebrated a touchdown in the fourth quarter by putting his hand to his crotch and then to his face before pretending to pass out.
‘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,’ Del Conte wrote in his latest ‘Forty Acres Insider’ blog post to the school’s athletics website.
‘It certainly raised very warranted concerns that many of you shared with me, drew a lot of attention and I understand why.’
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte apologized for two athletes’ celebrations
Texas star Colin Simmons pretended to urinate as he celebrated a sack against Tennessee
Then, teammate Raleek Brown celebrated by rubbing his crotch and smelling it
Del Conte added that head coach Steve Sarkisian called the celebrations unacceptable on Monday and that the coach spoke to both players about the matter.
Sarkisian also suggested the players would be disciplined but didn’t provide specifics. Sarkisian pulled Simmons mid-game after the incident and the player later apologized after video clips went viral.
Del Conte warned that similar actions ‘cannot happen again.’
‘I also want to add my apology to our Longhorn community and everyone who expects better from Texas,’ Del Conte wrote. ‘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.’
Texas’ rise to the No. 1 spot in the country has come with some controversies off the field – especially during celebrations.
After beating Ohio State earlier this month, Sarkisian blew off ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe, which led to AI videos that depicted the coach slapping her. Star quarterback Arch Manning apologized after he referenced the video in a press conference, laughed at it and called it ‘hilarious.’
