Texas Tech Asks Fans to Stop Throwing Tortillas on Field Due to Possible Discipline

The long standing tradition of throwing during Texas Tech games could be coming to an end.

Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech's athletic director, announced during head coach Joey McGuire's press conference on Monday that the school is "no longer going to encourage nor permit the throwing of tortillas," per ESPN's Dave Wilson.

The change comes amid crack downs from the Big 12 over throwing objects on the playing field.

Wilson noted that Big 12 ADs voted 15-1 in August to asses a 15-yard penalty after two warnings for items being thrown on the field. Hocutt, who was the only one who voted againt the rule, explained on social media that "the rules can change. But our tradition will not." He also offered an alternative for fans to throw tortillas before opening kickoff.

Tossing tortillas has been a tradition in Lubbock since the 1990s, but the new rules have made things difficult.

During the Red Raiders' 42-17 win over Kansas earlier this month, Texas Tech was penalized twice for tortillas landing on the field. After the game, the Big 12 updated its rule to allow just one warning before a penalty as well as a $100,000 fine.

"We know that as Red Raiders, no one tells us what to do. We make our own decisions," Hocutt said. "This situation is on me. I leaned into throwing tortillas at the beginning of the football season. Now I must ask everyone to stop."

Texas Tech is enjoying one of its best starts in school history at 6-1 and has College Football Playoff hopes even after an upset loss to Arizona State on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Red Raider faithful, their beloved tradition will have to end for now.