Texas Tech University announced Monday that it is officially banning its long-standing tortilla toss tradition at football games, marking the end of a fan ritual that has been part of Red Raider culture for more than three decades.
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt made the announcement during a joint press conference with football head coach Joey McGuire, explaining that the university will enforce stricter measures to stop fans from throwing tortillas during the opening kickoff at home games.
“The situation is on me,” Hocutt said. “I leaned into the throwing of tortillas at the beginning of the football season. Now I must ask everyone to stop, and I must ask our staff to enforce it on game days.”
The decision follows a recent Big 12 Conference ruling imposing a $100,000 fine on schools if any objects are thrown onto the field. The penalty comes after several incidents during Texas Tech’s recent home game against the University of Kansas, when officials were forced to pause play due to debris.
According to Hocutt, Tech has already received two 15-yard penalties this season for the toss. The athletic department decided it could no longer risk further fines or penalties that could hurt the football program.
Enforcement Measures
To ensure compliance, Tech Athletics plans to revoke ticket privileges for any fan caught violating the new policy for the remainder of the academic year. Stadium gates will have reminders, and staff will ask fans to discard tortillas before entering Jones AT&T Stadium.
“We will encourage and remind fans at the gate not to bring tortillas in,” Hocutt said. “If they brought them, we’ll ask them to discard them before they come into the stadium.”
The department also added two more security cameras last week, bringing the total to ten, to monitor the stands and identify fans attempting to continue the tradition. Additional law enforcement will also be present to help enforce the policy.
“If you did somehow get tortillas in, please pass them to the aisles,” Hocutt said. “We’ll discard them for you.”
Before kickoff, a message on the stadium’s video board will remind fans of the new rule and its consequences.
Tradition Meets Change
The tortilla toss tradition dates back to the early 1990s, when fans began throwing tortillas onto the field as a lighthearted show of school spirit. Over the years, it became a signature moment at Tech home games — one often celebrated by alumni and students alike.
However, what began as a harmless gesture has increasingly drawn scrutiny from conference officials. With the Big 12’s stricter fines and renewed focus on game-day safety, Hocutt said the time had come to make a change.
Head coach Joey McGuire said he supports the decision, emphasizing the importance of focusing on football and creating a positive game-day atmosphere.
“I’m right with Kirby,” McGuire said. “I leaned into it also. I believe in tradition. I’ve said it a million times. There’s no place in the world I love more than this place. I’m so lucky to be the head coach of Texas Tech.”
Looking Ahead
Hocutt said the department will continue to spread the message throughout the week as the Red Raiders prepare to host Oklahoma State University at 3 p.m. Saturday, the first home game under the new ban.
“We control our own fate in every situation,” Hocutt said. “On the football field as well as with our event operations. We know that as Red Raiders, no one tells us what to do. We make our own decisions, and we encourage actions because they are the right thing to do.”
