Texas fined $250K by SEC for beer can protest

Field Level Media|published: Sun 20th October, 20:57 2024

Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks down Bevo Boulevard and into the stadium before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

First-year member Texas faces a $250,000 fine from the Southeastern Conference after fans interrupted Saturday night's game against Georgia by throwing water bottles, beer cans and other debris onto the field.

The SEC announced sanctions against Texas on Sunday. The university will also "be required to use all available resources, including security, stadium and television video, to identify individuals who threw objects onto the playing field or at the opposing team."

Those identified as having been involved will be banned from Texas sporting events for the rest of the 2024-25 academic year.

The SEC further added that it will not suspend the Longhorns' "alcohol sales privileges" for now but reserves the right to do so pursuant to its bylaws and commissioner's regulations.

The punishments stem from a bizarre scene during the third quarter in which the Longhorns' Jahdae Barron intercepted Carson Beck and returned the ball to the Georgia 9-yard line. The pick was initially waved off due to a defensive pass interference call, prompting angry Texas fans to shower the field with debris and force a delay.

While the game was delayed, the officials reconvened and overturned their previous call, letting the interception stand. Texas scored two plays later, but Georgia still went on to win 30-15.

It was the Longhorns' first loss of the season and as a member of the SEC, and on Sunday they fell from No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll to No. 5. Georgia, which had been No. 5, rose to No. 2.

Texas also issued an apology to Georgia on Sunday.

"While we deeply appreciate the passion and loyalty of our fan base at The University of Texas at Austin, we do not condone the unsportsmanlike conduct that was exhibited by some individuals throwing objects onto the field during last night's game and sincerely apologize to the University of Georgia players, coaches, and fans, as well as the Southeastern Conference and officiating crew," Texas Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife, UT president Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. "This type of behavior will not be tolerated."

--Field Level Media

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