Colin Simmons’ vulgar celebration of Texas Longhorns dismissal was inexcusable for a Christian athlete

Texas Longhorn defensive end Colin Simmons is arguably the best defender in college football. He looks like a man among boys in the way he handles offensive tackles and sacks quarterbacks, but his antics during the Longhorns’ thrilling win over Tennessee on Saturday showed why he’s still a boy in terms of maturity.

Simmons, who claims to be a Christian, was best known for what he did after winning the Texas 6A Division I state championship with Duncanville High School. He brought a Bible into the field and boldly proclaimed, “There is no one but God!” » In the most important moment of his high school career, he pointed people to God. He withheld glory, honor and praise from himself and gave them to his Creator. It was refreshing to see, as it is every time we hear a player or coach do it in their brightest moments. Today, Simmons is unfortunately known for one of the most vulgar sack celebrations ever in college football.

After a third sack, deep on the Tennessee side, Simmons faked taking out his penis and peeing on the field. This wasn’t just immature; it was completely disgusting. Kirk Herbstreit called it “idiotic” on the broadcast and Chris Fowler, also calling the play, said it “isn’t much (more) vulgar” than what Simmons did.

Defensive end Colin Simmons of the Texas Longhorns sacks quarterback Faizon Brandon of the Tennessee Volunteers during a college football game on September 26, 2026, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)

Texas gave up some celebrations against Tennessee that were about as lopsided as they come.

What Simmons did wasn’t just wrong as an athlete in a public place. He represented much more than the Longhorns on national television, as an avowed Christian he still represents Jesus Christ and the faith as a whole. No, fortunately the Christian faith is not based on the moral failings of Simmons and I, but what we say and do is undoubtedly a reflection of our faith. This makes what he did much worse, in my opinion. No, this also doesn’t mean that an atheist athlete should be able to get away with it without having to apologize. I am simply saying that Christians, like myself, are held to the highest moral and ethical standards.

This is why I believe Trinindad Chambliss dropping an F-bomb during the postgame interview after Ole Miss’ upset win over LSU, where he spent much of the interview praising God, was also a bad look and worth apologizing for. This is unbecoming of a follower of Jesus and demonstrates blatant hypocrisy and a major lack of control and discernment.

Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels leaves the field after defeating the Louisville Cardinals 41-38 during the Music City kickoff at Nissan Stadium on September 6, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Getty Images)

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Chambliss ended up apologizing after the match while wearing a “Jesus Won” T-shirt, showing genuine remorse for allowing the heat of the moment to reflect badly on his faith, saying, “”That’s not who I am. I offer my sincerest apologies to Holly Rowe and everyone who was listening.”

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud addressed the issue of Christian swearing in an interview with Sports Spectrum in 2024. He said, “I can’t proclaim that I love God and have a wild mouth…it’s hypocritical.” He said this in reference to James 3, a biblical chapter focused on the power and discipline of taming the tongue.

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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But what Simmons did was incredibly difficult for an avowed Christian athlete to imagine. We all have trouble mastering our language. I know I’ve struggled with this over the years playing sport and in moments of frustration, but celebrating a premeditated sacking with this level of vulgarity is inexcusable.

Simmons apologized after the match, but saying you’re remorseful and actually being remorseful are two very different things. Seemingly excusing his actions, Simmons said: “I was definitely in that mode, I felt. It happens.” This is not a valid excuse, in my opinion. This depicts a lack of understanding of the seriousness of his suggestive actions, especially as a Christian. The swearing comes. The loss of patience is coming. Pretending to take out your penis and pee on an opposing team’s field doesn’t just happen. It was a premeditated, unsportsmanlike and vulgar act that made him look like a degenerate.

Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons waves to fans as he enters Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, before a game against the UTSA Roadrunners on September 19, 2026. (Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)

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In the Bible, 1 Peter 4 speaks to Christians in the early church, who are called, just like Christians today, to hold themselves to higher standards than they did when they were not Christians. As believers, we must pursue holiness and encourage one another to pursue it as well.

This is why I call on my declared brother in Christ, Colin Simmons, to live up to this standard. I call on his Christian teammates, family members, coaches and more to help hold him accountable. God knows I need accountability too. Proverbs 17:7 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” » We cannot take 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 return to the straight and narrow path.

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Christians have a moral framework from which they draw and are expected to put it into practice. The unbelieving world and other Christians do not expect us to be perfect, but they certainly have the right to call us out for our hypocrisy. I believe there is a moral standard ingrained in every human being and every society, giving us to some extent an innate understanding of right and wrong, but there is no doubt that actions like this by Simmons are wrong. This has no place in football. That’s for sure.

Simmons tweeted after the match: “All glory to God 🙏🏾 Thank you for listening to my prayers and forgive me for my actions.”

Colin Simmons, #1 of the Texas Longhorns, celebrates after a turnover during a game against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images)

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Here is my answer:

“This is a great learning experience, Colin. You have a lot of eyes on you. Please use the platform and abilities God has given to be a good representation of Him. Don’t be like the world. Live like a man made new by Christ. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness.”

Let this be a message to all Christians, not just the athletes whose columns appear on national television:

You are under a microscope. People are watching. The children are watching. As it says in James 3, which Stroud referred to, they hear us praise God with the same tongue with which we curse. This should not be the case. But more than anything, it’s not about appealing to the world, Christians, coaches, promoters, athletic directors or even family, it’s about living a moral life in our words and actions for the one we profess as Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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I pray this truly is a great learning experience and part of a powerful testimony for years to come for Simmons as the top-ranked Longhorns look to win a national championship and Simmons’ road inevitably leads to the NFL.