Texas DE Colin Simmons Penalized for Mock Bathroom Celebration vs. Tennessee
The short version
- Colin Simmons sacked Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon on a third down near the 10-yard line.
- Simmons was penalized for simulating using the restroom during his celebration.
- Fan reactions ranged from amusement to calls for fines and questions about team discipline.
- Simmons apologized after the game, saying the heat of the moment did not justify his behavior.
Simmons drew a flag for simulating using the restroom after a third-down sack of Faizon Brandon, then apologized after the Longhorns' win.
Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons found himself at the center of an unusual penalty call during his team's victory over the Tennessee Volunteers.
The incident came after Simmons sacked Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon on a third-down play near the 10-yard line. Following the tackle, Simmons celebrated by pretending to use the bathroom on the field.
The officials did not let the gesture pass. They threw a flag and penalized Simmons for what the referees described as simulating using the restrooms, handing the Longhorns an unnecessary penalty in the process.
The moment quickly drew attention from viewers, with reactions split between amusement and criticism as comments circulated during and after the game.
Some fans took a lighthearted view of the situation. One wrote that Simmons deserved a pass because of his five-sack performance, while another described the infraction as possibly the funniest penalty flag in football history.
Others were less forgiving. One fan argued that with college football players now being paid, they should face fines in the same manner as NFL players. Another questioned what would happen to other paid university employees who acted similarly in a workplace setting.
There was also criticism directed at the program itself. One supporter said head coach Steve Sarkisian needed to take control of the team, citing a lack of discipline. An additional observer noted that Simmons had the nerve to appear shocked when the penalty was announced.
Simmons addressed the matter after the game and offered an apology for his conduct. He acknowledged that being caught up in the heat of the moment did not excuse his behavior, saying he had been feeling himself at the time but that it simply happens and to charge it to the game.
The episode drew attention away from what was otherwise an outstanding individual performance by Simmons in the Longhorns' win over the Volunteers.
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