<\/p>\n
Colin Simmons generated as many headlines for a crude celebration as he did for his five sacks Saturday\u00a0during Texas’ win at Tennessee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
AUSTIN \u2014 Texas didn\u2019t exactly put its best face forward Saturday in Knoxville.<\/p>\n
In fact, the Longhorns<\/a> showed their ass.<\/p>\n Actually to be specific, they showed their front in two of the most crass, vulgar celebrations imaginable after big plays. Regardless, these antics have suddenly thrust Texas into the limelight for crude behavior that has nothing to do with its play on the football field and severely tarnished the program\u2019s image.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As a result, they\u2019ve given the rest of the college football world ample ammunition for Horns Down, as if they needed any more motivation. Hate is undefeated.<\/p>\n If you still haven\u2019t seen the obscene actions, just know they are not exactly PG.<\/p>\n This is such further fuel for criticism after the uproar that occurred when certain angry Texas fans threw water bottles onto the field at Royal-Memorial Stadium two years ago in protest of an official\u2019s call in the loss to Georgia. That incident cost Texas a $250,000 fine<\/a> from the SEC office and created a real hit to the school\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n On Saturday, edge rusher Colin Simmons and tailback Raleek Brown, two Texas upperclassmen and two of its best players, had tremendous performances in the 20-17 win over No. 14 Tennessee<\/a> but embarrassed themselves and their team with classless acts. Heck, Simmons was a game captain for the Longhorns, and Brown is a senior.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But the repercussions should be more severe.<\/p>\n Texas should fine both players for their lewd actions on a nationally televised platform in front of 101,915 fans, including President Donald Trump, and millions more watching. It should be obvious by now that these college players are indeed professionals because they are paid handsomely to play football and are representing the school.<\/p>\n The NFL routinely fines its players for unprofessional celebrations as it tries to tamp down the widespread taunting and tasteless celebrations that have engulfed that league and trickled down to the college level.<\/p>\n That league announced that Week 2 fines alone included 22 fines for unsportsmanlike conduct violations that amounted to more than $300,000. Thirteen of those were for illegal celebrations and vulgar acts.<\/p>\n It\u2019s hardly unusual for college athletes to see their pro counterparts become disgustingly creative and try to mimic them. They are not just jumping the shark but the entire ocean kingdom.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n After the second of his single-game school record 5\u00bd sacks, Simmons commemorated the moment by faux urinating on the Neyland Stadium turf and incurring a damaging unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.<\/p>\n Raleek Brown had a post-touchdown celebration that did not go over well during Texas’ win at Tennessee.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Then after Steve Sarkisian chastised Simmons for his obscene gesture and selfishness at halftime, Brown apparently didn\u2019t heed the message. After scoring the win-sealing touchdown in the final five-plus minutes of the game, the senior doubled down on Simmons\u2019 foolhardiness by pretending to smell his testicles, get dizzy and then fainted in the end zone.<\/p>\n Yeah, just what they want Longhorn Nation and fans everywhere to be focusing on and not the terrific road victory in Texas\u2019 SEC opener.<\/p>\n Even ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit called Simmons\u2019 gesture \u201can absolute idiotic move.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Sarkisian apologized about the scene in his postgame remarks and addressed it again Monday in his opening remarks to the local media. He said there\u2019s been \u201ca lot made of Colin\u2019s penalty. There probably could have been a couple more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTruthfully,\u201d Sarkisian said, \u201cand I was truthful with the team this morning. But that\u2019s not who we are as a team, and that behavior is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n In truth, I\u2019m not sure we do know who they are as a team. Remember, this comes on the heels of Sarkisian\u2019s own breach of proper etiquette when he impatiently big-timed Holly Rowe and brushed off the ESPN reporter<\/a> after the win over Ohio State. That\u2019s not to mention Arch Manning\u2019s dustup about laughing at a fake AI video<\/a> of Sarkisian slapping Rowe and the apparent conclusion he was condoning violence against women even though we all know he was not.<\/p>\n At this rate, Texas just might lead the nation this year in defense and apologies. The Longhorns are off to a big lead in both departments.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have got to do a better job of celebrating with one another,\u201d Sarkisian said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to take away our stinger. I don\u2019t want to take away the excitement of the game. But the moment you start to demean an opponent, the flags are going to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Sarkisian\u2019s not naive. He knows even Longhorn fans were repulsed by these incidents and expect more out of its players and coaches. He said he met individually with Simmons and Brown and said, \u201cso we\u2019ll handle those things internally.\u201d<\/p>\n When he was asked if he uses fines for such conduct, Sarkisian simply repeated, \u201cWe handle all of our stuff internally, and so I\u2019ll leave that there.\u201d<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t Sarkisian owe a more thorough explanation to his own team\u2019s fan base that helps pay his $11 million salary? And isn\u2019t revealing the punishment appropriate?<\/p>\n Others schools have resorted to suspensions for improper behavior.<\/p>\n South Carolina indefinitely suspended star edge rusher Dylan Stewart<\/a> after he punched an Alabama player and talked back to coaches. USC suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II<\/a> for a vicious targeting of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who was taken to a hospital and suffered a concussion, and then laughing about it and high-fiving his teammates.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n