Is ‘Horns Down’ a penalty in the SEC? It depends on the context, says the referee coordinator

DALLAS — John McDaid, the SEC’s coordinator of officials, is now very familiar with the “Horns Down” question. He doesn’t really think it’s that important, but he knows people like to ask about it. It was a tradition of Big 12 media days. Now it’s part of the SEC as the Longhorns join the conference.

So what is the league’s stance on “Horns Down” and unsportsmanlike conduct?

“We will look at the context in which it occurs,” McDaid said. “I ask my officials to assess whether it is a taunt to the opposition, whether it is a travesty of the game or whether it otherwise affects our ability to manage the game.

“If a Texas opponent scores a touchdown and goes back to the sideline with his teammate to celebrate the touchdown and gives the signal, there is no problem. … If he tackles a player, stands over him and gives the signal, then we have taunting, then we have unsportsmanlike conduct.”

McDaid noted that this is nothing new for the SEC, which has the Gator Chomp in Florida and the Shark Fin in Ole Miss. He estimated that team signal taunting has resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty fewer than five times since he joined the SEC in 2015. That’s rare. But Horns Down is its own brand.

McDaid said he hasn’t heard a word from Texas about it. The Longhorns have not indicated to the SEC that they care. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t cared in the past. Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger tweeted in 2018 after a loss to West Virginia that Horns Down was disrespectful. The next year, the Big 12 said it would be treated like any other taunting situation. That has now trickled down to the SEC.

“I don’t really have an opinion,” said Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, who met with the media later Tuesday as part of the school’s first media appearance since joining the SEC along with rival Texas. “Football is a game of emotion, intensity and passion, and if they say there’s going to be a penalty, then don’t do it. If they say it’s free play, then go for it. Everyone is different, everyone celebrates differently, but whatever rules they’ve set out, we’re going to abide by them.”

However, Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman said the gesture should not be considered a foul.

“Everybody has a hand signal,” Bowman said. “If you let a hand signal affect you and affect the game? Maybe you shouldn’t be there. Allowing us to throw the horns down is cool and all, but if it can’t be a part of the game, then I mean, that’s pretty weak.”

So is “Horns Down” a penalty in the SEC? Yes and no. It depends on the context. And McDaid expects to continue to be asked about it.

“I know it’s a passionate subject,” he said. “I have no problem with it (being asked). The only thing that makes me cringe is how often I get asked that question. … But I get it. The game is full of emotion and passion. That’s what makes it so damn entertaining. As a refereeing unit, we have to deal with that.”

(Photo by Caleb Williams: Tim Warner / Getty Images)