Texas Longhorn defensive end Colin Simmons is arguably the best d-end in college football. He looks like a man among boys in the way he manhandles offensive tackles and sacks quarterbacks, but his antics in the Longhorns thrilling victory over Tennessee on Saturday showcased why he’s still very much a boy in maturity.
Simmons, who claims to be a Christian, used to be best known for what he did following winning the Texas 6A Division I state championship with Duncanville High School. He brought a Bible onto the field and boldly proclaimed, “It ain’t nobody but God!” In the biggest moment of his high school career, he pointed people to God. He deferred the glory, honor, and praise from himself and gave it to his Creator. It was refreshing to witness, just like it is every time we hear a player or coach do in their brightest moments. Now, Simmons is unfortunately known for one of college football’s most vulgar sack celebrations ever.
Following a clutch third down sack, deep in the Tennessee side of the field, Simmons simulated pulling his penis out and peeing on the field. It wasn’t just immature; it was utterly disgusting. Kirk Herbstreit called it “idiotic” on the broadcast and Chris Fowler, also calling the game, said it “it doesn’t much [more] vulgar” than what Simmons did.
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What Simmons did wasn’t just wrong as an athlete in a public setting. He was representing much more than just the Longhorns on national television, as a professing Christian, he’s always representing Jesus Christ and the faith as a whole. No, thankfully the Christian faith isn’t based on the moral failings of Simmons and I, but what we say and do are undoubtedly a reflection of our faith. That makes what he did much worse, in my opinion. No, that’s also not to say an atheist athlete should be able to get away with this and shouldn’t have to apologize. I’m simply stating that Christians, like myself, are held to the highest moral and ethical standards.
That’s why I believe Trinindad Chambliss dropping an f-bomb in the postgame interview following Ole Miss’ upset win over LSU, where he spent much of the interview praising God, was a bad look as well and worth apologizing over. It’s unbecoming of a Jesus follower and showcased a blatant hypocrisy and major lack of control and discernment.
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Chambliss ended up apologizing postgame while wearing a “Jesus Won” T-shirt, showing true remorse for allowing the heat of the moment to cause himself to be a poor reflection of his faith saying, “”That’s not who I am. I’m deeply, deeply apologetic to Holly Rowe & everyone who was listening.”
Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud addressed the problem with Christians cussing in an interview with Sports Spectrum in 2024. He said, “I can’t proclaim I love God and have a wild mouth… it’s hypocritical.” He said this while references James 3, a biblical chapter focusing on the power and discipline of taming the tongue.
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But what Simmons did was something that was incredibly difficult to imagine a professing Christian athlete ever doing. We all have trouble taming our tongue. I know I’ve had trouble with that over the years playing sports, and in times of frustration, but having a premeditated sack celebration with that level of vulgarity is inexcusable.
Simmons did apologize postgame, but saying you’re remorseful and actually being remorseful are two very different things. Seemingly excusing his actions, Simmons stated, “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. It happens.” That’s not a valid excuse, in my opinion. It portrays a lack of understanding of the severity of his suggestive actions, especially as a Christian. Cussing happens. Losing our patience happens. Pretending to whip out your penis and pee on an opposing team’s field doesn’t just happen. That is a premeditated, unsportsmanlike, vulgar action that makes him look like a degenerate.
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In the Bible, 1 Peter 4 addresses the Christians of the early church, who are called, just as Christians of this day and age, to hold themselves to a higher standard than they once did when they weren’t Christians. As believers, we are to pursue holiness and encourage each other to pursue it, too.
That is why I’m calling my professed brother in Christ, Colin Simmons, to hold himself to that standard. I’m calling his Christian teammates, family members, coaches, and more, to help hold him accountable. Lord knows I need accountability too. Proverbs 17:7 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We can’t do this Christian walk alone, and when money, status, and fame cause us to stumble, and lose sight of who we are, we need others to call us to repentance and get back on the straight and narrow pathway.
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Christians have a moral framework from which we draw and are expected to live out. The unbelieving world and other Christians don’t expect us to be perfect, but they certainly have every right to call us out on hypocrisy. I believe there is a moral standard embedded in every human and society, giving us an innate understanding of right and wrong to an extent, but there’s no question whether actions like this by Simmons are wrong. It has no place in football. That’s for sure.
Simmons tweeted after the game, “All Glory To God 🙏🏾 Thank you for listening to my prayers and forgive me for my actions.”
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Here was my reply to him:
“This is a great learning experience, Colin. You have a lot of eye balls on you. Please use the platform & abilities God has given to be a good representation of Him. Don’t be like the world. Live like a man renewed through Christ. Thank God for His grace & forgiveness.”
Let this be a message to all Christians, not just athletes with a platform playing on national television:
You’re under a microscope. People are watching. Kids are watching. As it says in James 3, which Stroud referenced, they hear us praise God with the same tongue we curse with. That shouldn’t be the case. But more than anything, this isn’t about appealing to the world, fellow Christians, coaches, boosters, athletic directors, or even family, this is about living a moral life in our words and deeds for the one we profess as a Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’m praying this is truly a great learning experience and part of a powerful testimony for years to come for Simmons as the top-ranked Longhorns look at secure a National Championship and as Simmons road inevitably leads to the NFL.
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