Big 12 coordinator of officials clarifies circumstances around 'Horns Down' penalty

Finally, the Big 12 has clarified the circumstances regarding the “Horns Down” penalty that has plagued opponents of Texas who couldn’t help themselves.

According to Big 12 Coordinator of Officials Greg Burks, there’s a myriad of factors that go into whether a penalty is called for displaying the symbol.

“I was waiting for that. … I have no ownership on this symbol. It’s when you do it, who you do it to and the manner,” stated Burks, via Chris Vannini of The Athtletic. “Please, the state of Oklahoma, I meant no offense.”

Evidently, Burks knows this could irk Oklahoma Sooners faithful, as he began to plead with them for some slack.

“You don’t have to send me e-mails,” Burks added. “It’s not about Horns Up or Horns Down. It’s about the manner that you do anything on the field toward an opponents.”

However, Texas is on their way out of the Big 12 — which begged the question from Vannini, will “Horns Down” still be a penalty when the Longhorns take their talents and play in the SEC?

“I asked Burks yesterday if Horns Down would still be a penalty in the Big 12 when Texas is gone. He laughed. It’s just treated as any other taunting penalty,” tweeted Vannini.

The age old question is finally answered. Thank you Greg Burks for some clarification on the “Horns Down” controversy, even if it’s going to have some Oklahoma fans in your DMs.

Outgoing Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby takes another crack at Texas, Oklahoma exits last year

Bob Bowlsby brought the jokes to Big 12 Media Day, taking a crack at Texas and Oklahoma deciding to leave the conference for the SEC shortly after last year’s event.

While speaking with the media, Bowlsby stated that he thought the board was as aligned as ever at last year’s media day. Then, just over a week later, the bombshell was dropped on the Big 12 by their two premier programs.

“I think 8 days later, OU and Texas announced they were going to the SEC,” Bowlsby joked. “So you can take my assessment of calm waters for what they’re worth.”

At the least, Bowlsby can have some fun with the entire situation, no matter how much it still stings that his golden geese were lost.

Nevertheless, Bob Bowlsby put the Big 12 in a solid position following the news, bringing in programs like Cincinnati and Houston before deciding his time as commissioner was over. As he hands off the baton of the Big 12 to new commissioner Brett Yormark, Bowlsby can look back at his time with the conference fondly.