Texas Longhorns star defensive end Colin Simmons got hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Saturday afternoon, not for a late hit or a bad tackle, but for “simulating using the restroom” after a huge QB sack against Tennessee. This happened with the No. 1 Longhorns leading 10-3 and just over five minutes left in the second quarter, making a crucial stop at the Vols’ 27-yard line, but what should have been pure celebration turned into a total mess.
The Flag That Dropped a Stadium Into Silence
You won’t believe it, but after Simmons absolutely leveled Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon, he stood up and mimed unzipping his pants and, well, profusely urinating on the field of Neyland Stadium. The crowd’s cheers immediately dropped a pitch, and the yellow flag was flying faster than you can say “unsportsmanlike.” SEC referee Kyle Olson announced the 15-yard penalty, confirming the reason: “for simulating using the restroom.” It was an absolute head-scratcher that left everyone wondering what was going through his mind at that moment.
Talent vs. Stupidity: The Debate Is ON
Here’s the kicker: Simmons is a legitimate NFL Draft prospect, 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds of pure talent. He wasn’t just goofing off; he had five of his team’s ten sacks in that game, tying a program record set way back in 1990 by Shane Dronnett. So he’s balling out, and then he pulls *that*. ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit didn’t mince words, calling it “an absolutely idiotic move” and questioning why a supposed leader of the defense would do it. Play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler piled on, saying it “doesn’t get more vulgar.” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian wasn’t as harsh, saying he pulled Simmons, addressed it, and put him back in. “I’m not going to give the guy a death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct,” Sarkisian said. “We got to fix it though. That can’t continue.” Simmons even apologized after the game, mumbling something about “feeling myself” and “charge it to the game,” then later tried to brush it off with a “next-play mentality.”
What This Means for the No. 1 Longhorns’ Season
Despite the bizarre penalty, the Longhorns still managed to pull out a 20-17 victory over the 14th-ranked Volunteers, improving their record to a perfect 4-0. President Donald Trump was even there to see it all go down. But man, the optics are just brutal. Simmons had been relatively quiet this season with only four tackles in the first three games after a lower-body injury, but he has 28 sacks in 33 career games. He’s proven he can play, but this kind of stunt? It could stick with him. Longhorns fans on X were already ripping him apart, calling it “gross” and saying they “thought our Longhorns were better men than that.” Sarkisian is right; this has to get fixed. No top prospect can afford these kinds of brain farts, especially with the NFL watching. The focus should be on their 4-0 record, not this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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