TCU made BYU look even softer during Saturday’s college basketball game against Texas. Although the Horned Frogs ultimately fell to the Longhorns, their fans were ruthless toward the visitors throughout the entire evening — from warmups to final buzzer. It was a raucous environment in Fort Worth!
“Horns Down” was everywhere, which was in direct response to Rodney Terry.
Texas’ head coach melted down earlier this season when UCF players taunted his team with the anti-Longhorns hand signal after an upset win. They did so prior to the handshake line.
Terry lost his mind.
In response to his hilarious, anger-fueled tantrum, BYU students wore shirts that spelled ‘HORNS DOWN’ in the front row when Texas came to town. However, the Cougars administration made the extremely lame decision to have them remove the shirts.
To make it even worse, their head coach actually apologized — and scolded the students.
That’s not how we roll. It was just a miscalculation on (the part of) a couple eager kids, which we love the eagerness of these fans. It is just not what we do here. We love all 18,000 people in this gym. They were incredible tonight. Just so you know, that is not something that we are supporting.
— Mark Pope
It was the most cowardly response to something that should be supported. Horns Down is not a slur. Nor is it offensive in any way, shape or form.
TCU went in the opposite direction on Saturday and embarrassed BYU after BYU embarrassed itself. Frog Army wore shirts with the hand signal on them and made sure to establish their presence prior to tip.
A Horns Down banner even hung in the stands.
Fans were quick to throw Horns Down in the face of the Longhorns at every opportunity.
Horns down in full effect in Fort Worth Texas right now… I wish my coach never made it a “thing” What do you think @MikeTaylorShow as a native from Fort Worth and horn frog lover pic.twitter.com/0uBLuW69sa
— MarGOSPURSGO (@MARGOGARZA12) February 3, 2024
Unlike the Cougars, the Horned Frogs were not required to remove their shirts, nor were they asked to refrain from holding their fingers upside down. Their head coach did not issue an apology for a harmless gesture.
Terry brought this upon himself. Horns Down was a thing before, but its usage in college basketball only increased after his tirade. What did he expect?!
BYU took the cowardly way out. TCU stood by its students and their harmless escapades.