NORMAN, OK - AUGUST 31: Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders leave the field before the game against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks August 31, 2013 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Louisiana-Monroe 34-0. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)Oklahoma’s cheerleaders have been told to stop doing the “Horns Down” hand signal at athletic events or on social media, according to a new report.
The OU Daily is reporting that Oklahoma’s spirit squad members, including the cheerleaders and mascots, have been heavily encouraged to stop doing the hand signal.
Students have reportedly been told multiple times that they are not allowed to perform the hand signal, which taunts rival Texas.
The Big 12 has made it a penalty for opposing players to use the hand signal toward the Longhorns.
Seven student members from across OU’s spirit teams, including the cheer squad, RUF/NEKS, Lil’ Sis and mascots programs, have told The Daily they’ve been instructed by OU Spirit Coordinator Phil O’Neill not to use the hand sign. The students, some of whom have graduated and some who remain in the program, all shared the information on the condition of anonymity. Their identities are known to The Daily.
According to the sources, on several occasions, including at a meeting in August 2018, O’Neill told the students they were not allowed to use the hand symbol. O’Neill informed them that any use of the hand symbol on social media would be asked to be removed. Several sources told The Daily they have been asked to delete posts with horns down in them over the past two years.
This seems fairly excessive.
Sure, the “Horns Down” symbol is technically a taunt at Texas, and in certain situations it’s probably uncalled for. But going to these lengths to stop it feels like a bit much.
Oklahoma and Texas are set to meet in two weeks.
The Sooners and the Longhorns will play on Saturday, Oct. 12. Kickoff is set for noon E.T. on FOX.
