Texas Player Penalized for Crude Sack Celebration During Game Attended by Trump
Colin Simmons' unsportsmanlike conduct flag drew criticism from commentators.
During a college football game attended by President Donald Trump, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after an unsavory celebration following a sack. The incident occurred in the second quarter of the No. 1 Longhorns' road game against Tennessee.
Simmons, the team captain, mimicked urinating on the field after tackling Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. The penalty resulted in a 15-yard gain for the Volunteers and an automatic first down, negating the 16-yard sack. ESPN commentators Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler both condemned the action, with Herbstreit calling it an "absolute idiotic move" and Fowler describing it as "idiotic, and it doesn’t get much more vulgar, either."
Despite the penalty, the Texas defense ultimately forced a punt, preventing Tennessee from scoring and giving Texas an opportunity to extend its lead before halftime. The Longhorns' defense controlled the first half of the SEC opener, holding the Volunteers scoreless for the first time this season. Simmons was a key contributor to this defensive effort, recording two sacks in the first 30 minutes.
Simmons has had a strong season, earning Second-Team All-America honors in 2025 with 43 tackles, 12 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He entered the matchup against No. 14 Tennessee with four tackles and two sacks for the current season. Texas entered the game as a 5.5-point favorite and aimed to secure a conference win with minimal self-inflicted errors in the hostile environment of Neyland Stadium.