Texas Tech Ends Tortilla Tradition at Games

Texas Tech University officials are putting an end to the practice of tossing tortillas at football games. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt and head coach Joey McGuire announced on Monday that the school “will no longer encourage or permit” this behavior, marking the end of a long-standing tradition that began in the 1990s.

During a press conference, Hocutt expressed a mix of regret and frustration, admitting, “This situation is my fault. At the beginning of the football season, I was going to throw tortillas. Now I have to ask everyone to stop.” He emphasized that the Red Raiders are known for their independent spirit but recognized the need to adhere to the rules.

The decision comes after recent incidents where the team was penalized for fans throwing tortillas onto the field during the kickoff against the Kansas Jayhawks. The Big 12 Conference, aiming to control distractions during games, voted 15-1 in favor of a new policy addressing fans throwing objects.

If Texas Tech breaches this new policy, they risk facing a warning along with a $100,000 fine. Additionally, those caught tossing tortillas could have their tickets revoked for future events. McGuire also expressed disappointment towards fans who continue to defy this rule, questioning their commitment to the team by saying, “Is that a Red Raider? You come to the game, you love this team, you have passion for this team, and then you’re trying to throw another tortilla and you know that’s against the rules?”

With a recent loss to Arizona State weighing on them, the 14th-ranked Red Raiders are focused on their upcoming game against Oklahoma State. The hope is that without the distraction of tortillas, they can concentrate on the game ahead.