History of 'Horns Down' gesture: Why is it considered a classless act?

Texas and Oklahoma are all set for their inaugural SEC season. Previously, the Big 12 penalized the “Horns Down” gesture, while allowing the Longhorns to use the “Horns Up” gesture without issue. Now, as they transition to the SEC, the shift involves higher competition levels, updated uniforms and significant financial gains.

SEC Coordinator of Officials John McDaid clarified on Tuesday that the Horns Down gesture's acceptability will be determined by its context. McDaid explained that the gesture would be evaluated based on whether it is taunting or makes a travesty of the game.

“We’re going to evaluate it in context. Is it taunting an opponent? Is it making a travesty of the game? A travesty of the game is something that offends us, right? Kick it out of the football stadium, go put it in a shopping mall, or out in a parking lot somewhere. Well, does it offend someone? Then it’s probably making a travesty of the game,” McDaid said.

However, McDaid noted that the gesture would often be permissible, such as when celebrating with teammates after a touchdown or interception, provided it isn't directed at an opponent.

“If a player is just doing it to celebrate with his teammates, maybe going back up the sideline after a touchdown or interception, I don’t necessarily have that as a travesty. I don’t have that directed at his opponent. So it’s contextual,” he said.

McDaid explained that the applicable rule is “unsportsmanlike conduct.” He noted that gestures like the "Gator Chomp" or the "sharkfin" are already present in the SEC and are permissible when not directed at opponents.

Horns Up vs. Horns Down: Billy Bowman shared his stance

The Horns Up gesture, a symbol for Texas fans celebrating key moments or acknowledging each other, has recently faced mockery from rival teams and their supporters who flip the gesture into Horns Down.

Addressing the controversy, Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman remarked to the media that if a simple hand signal can influence a player’s performance or mental state, it raises questions about their resilience and readiness.

“If you let a hand signal affect you and affect the game, maybe you shouldn’t be there... If it can’t be a part of the game, that’s pretty soft,” Bowman said.

He implied that the inability of a player to handle such provocations without it affecting their game is a sign of weakness.