Big 12 to curb taunting gestures in 2021, including Horns Down

Big 12 officiating crews will be cracking down on taunting in 2021.

Greg Burks, the conference's coordinator of officials, was asked during Big 12 media days on Thursday to clarify the ruling on hand gestures such as Horns Down.

"Lemme put it this way," Burks said, according to ESPN's David Wilson. "If you do a Horns Down to a Texas player as an opponent, that's probably going to be a foul.”

However, Burks also indicated that if an opponent does the gesture toward the crowd, the action would probably not result in a penalty.

"We have to consider intent and consider the situation," he added. "We'll leave it to officials."

Conference officials have been reluctant to clearly define whether the gesture is an infraction. Players have been assessed unsportsmanlike penalties for using the signal.

Longhorns fans and athletes often used the Hook’em Horns hand gesture. The school's rivals, such as Oklahoma and West Virginia, have flipped the horns upside down to mock Texas and its fan base.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian views the gesture from opponents in a positive light.

"I took it as a little bit of a sign of endearment," he said, according to 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer.

"If you care that much and that’s how you want to celebrate, so be it," he added.