Texas Tech’s Tortilla Tradition Is Under Fire, But Not Dead Yet

What makes college football unique is the many traditions that schools have. It’s what separates itself from the NFL. Whether it’s blasting “Jump Around” at Camp Randall, dotting the I in Columbus, or even letting Buffalo run the field before the game like Ralphie in Boulder, the list goes on and on.

But for Texas Tech, they do things a bit differently. Sure, they have your things that would be considered fairly normal by college football standards, like the Saddle Tramps or even the Masked Rider entrance before the team runs on the field.

However, there is one particular tradition that is very unique to Lubbock, which is tortillas. While it is not permitted by the school, the tradition of throwing tortillas on the field goes back decades and Tech even has people along the sidelines to help clean up.

Typically, fans throw tortillas during kickoff and even after scoring drives. Some of you out there may be wondering how so many fans are able to bring in all these tortillas to the game. And that is why everyone says don’t eat the tortillas inside Jones AT&T Stadium.

However, that may soon change with the Big 12 clamping down when it comes to items being thrown on the field. Athletic directors in the conference voted 15–1 on a new policy that reinforces an existing game management rule. And yes, I think it’s safe to say that Kirby Hocutt (Texas Tech AD) was the lone vote in that one.

Fans now get two warnings before a 15-yard penalty is enforced. According to the updated guideline, tortillas tossed at the opening kickoff will draw a warning, but a third violation may result in a costly yardage penalty.

Game officials now have the authority to start with a public address warning, clear sections of fans if needed, and escalate to zone ejections or 15-yard penalties if throwing continues.

In a recent press conference, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt spoke about the new rules. “You can throw a tortilla up in the air as many times as you would like to, but once it comes onto the field, that’s when the sanctions will begin,” Hocutt said. “And I know that there’s no Red Raider whatsoever that’s going to do anything to penalize this football program.”

“I believe we can continue the tortilla toss at the opening kickoff, and then…is there a second opportunity to do the tortilla toss? Do we want to do it after our first score? Do we want to do it at the beginning of the second half? I think our student body will have some ideas,” he said.

I am glad that Kirby Hocutt is on board with fans still throwing tortillas. We live in a world where rivalries and traditions are being lost due to the almighty dollar. I get that times change, but some traditions should never go away. It’s what makes college football so special and different from any other sport.

Fans have been throwing tortillas before I was born, and I hope that the tradition will continue long after I’m gone. The further we get away from traditions, the closer we become to being the NFL. And, I for one, hope that never happens. We should be doing all that we can to keep them around.