Former Texas coach Mack Brown said in 2012 that the Horns Down gesture was disrespectful, and apparently game officials Saturday thought the same thing when they flagged West Virginia receiver David Sills V for making the sign toward Longhorns fans.
AUSTIN, Texas — West Virginia wide receiver David Sills V was flagged for taunting after flashing a double Horns Down gesture at the Texas crowd following a touchdown catch Saturday against the Longhorns.
The Big 12 has no language in its rulebook addressing gestures, only prohibiting athletes from “committing verbally or physically abusive acts toward game officials or an opponent’s team members, coaching staff, institutional personnel or fans.”
No. 17 Texas was down three defensive starters midway through the first quarter of Saturday’s game against No. 13 West Virginia: safety Brandon Jones (ankle), cornerback Davante Davis (upper body) and defensive end Breckyn Hager (shoulder or arm).
Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda told ESPN that the decision to flag players for taunting because of gestures is up to “officials’ judgement.”
Texas officials have complained to the league for years that the Horns Downs gesture shouldn’t be allowed.
“The Horns Down is disrespectful,” former Texas coach Mack Brown said in 2012. “We ought to talk about that as a league.”
Texas’ biggest rival, Oklahoma, has popularized the sign. Its fans and players often flash the Horns Down during the Red River Showdown at the Cotton Bowl.
After the extra point following Sills’ touchdown, officials ejected West Virginia left tackle Yodny Cajuste for throwing his hand at the face of a Texas defender. The Mountaineers wound up kicking off from their 10-yard line, which led to a Longhorns touchdown three plays later.
