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As much as anything else, college football is about pageantry and tradition.
Whether it’s the Notre Dame “Play Like a Champion Today” sign, Ohio State dotting the “i”, Alabama fans singing “Dixieland Delight,” or whatever you choose, these traditions are what set college football apart and make it so beloved among fans.
Unfortunately, in recent years, big money has stepped in and tried to kill a number of those traditions, and now it appears set to happen again.
Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt Tries To End Tortilla Toss
Since the 1990s, Texas Tech fans have thrown tortillas in the air at the opening kickoff, and, in years since, for subsequent kickoffs.
Nobody really knows how or why the tradition began. But it stuck, and it creates an incredible scene.
Unfortunately, because the Big 12 seemingly hates fun, the conference stepped in and attempted to kill the tradition recently.
Conference commissioner Brett Yormark altered the conference’s game management policy a week ago to allow one warning before levying a 15-yard personal foul penalty and a $100,000 fine for second and subsequent offenses by fans throwing objects onto the playing surface. Previously, the policy allowed for two warnings before penalties were assessed.
Now, rather than push back and defend his university and its traditions, Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt has opted to bend the knee instead.
“We know that as Red Raiders, no one tells us what to do. We make our own decisions,” Hocutt said. “This situation is on me. I leaned into throwing tortillas at the beginning of the football season. Now I must ask everyone to stop.”
Texas Tech is off to a 6-1 start this season, and despite a loss to Arizona State on Saturday, still holds College Football Playoff dreams. Hocutt says the tortilla tossing could jeopardize that.
“We are no longer going to encourage nor permit the throwing of tortillas at the opening kickoff for our home football games,” Hocutt said. “We have an opportunity and we are on the cusp of a very special football season … we cannot risk letting our actions penalize our football team. The stakes are too high and we need to help, not risk, penalizing our team again for throwing tortillas. Simply, must not do it.”
Frankly, it’s embarrassing for Hocutt and the Big 12.
Yes, throwing things on the field can be a hindrance. But Texas Tech went 30 years without this being a major issue. Now, suddenly, a beloved tradition has to stop?
Once again, it shows that the people in charge of college football don’t actually care about the things that made people fall in love with the game.