Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has outlined new repercussions for the beloved—but sometimes unruly—tortilla toss tradition at Red Raiders football games, including an automatic $100,000 fine enforced by the Big 12 Conference. The policy clarification comes after Saturday’s matchup against the University of Kansas, which highlighted the need for stricter enforcement after tortillas were thrown beyond the kickoff, creating an uncontrolled environment that drew the ire of league officials. Both schools were fined $25,000 by the conference following Wednesday’s review.
“We weren’t perfect in the first three home games,” Hocutt admitted. “I felt like we were making progress, and then I felt like, you know, we took a step back last week. It just never rose to the level where we got penalized in the first three home games.”
Hocutt emphasized that the conference made no prior attempt to discuss the new policies with member schools, noting that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark acted on his own discretion in implementing the changes. The Red Raiders responded publicly to the initial incident, posting a statement on the video board at Jones AT&T Stadium and showing a pre-recorded message from head coach Joey McGuire asking fans to refrain from tossing tortillas. Despite these efforts, two 15-yard penalties followed for subsequent violations.
Under Yormark’s new guidelines, Tech now has the authority to issue a mid-game warning after the first occurrence. If fans continue to throw tortillas after the kickoff, the university faces an automatic $100,000 fine, in addition to the 15-yard penalty assessed during the game. Hocutt described the stakes as significantly higher than in previous seasons: “We’re at a point now with that automatic fine, and, you know, on the second incident of a flag, it’s really put our backs against the wall.”
The rules also expand the area of enforcement. Whereas penalties were previously assessed only when tortillas hit the playing field, the new policy applies to the entire playing enclosure. “So even if it hits the sideline, if it hits behind the end zone, if it’s in the playing enclosure, that second strike, it’s a 15-yard penalty and a $100,000 fine,” Hocutt explained.
Hocutt noted that the problem extends beyond the student section, with items being thrown from club and suite levels as well. Fans who violate the standards will be escorted out by law enforcement, and repeated offenses from multiple people may prompt section-wide removals at the discretion of officials. The athletic director stressed that such enforcement could begin as early as the second violation, with peer pressure playing a critical role in maintaining order.
“We’ve had issues over the course of the years, but we’ve always protected the tradition,” Hocutt said. “There is no doubt the investment into Texas Tech Athletics and the investment into this football team is elevated. Things have changed.”
While the tortilla toss remains a cherished part of Texas Tech culture, these measures signal a more serious approach to fan safety and sportsmanship. The hope is that with proper enforcement, fans can continue the tradition in a fun, controlled, and responsible manner—avoiding fines, penalties, and the loss of game-day energy. For now, Red Raider fans know that a tortilla in the wrong place could carry a hefty price.
