Report: EA College Football 25 won't have 'Horns Down' hand signal in game

EA Sports College Football 25 has gone out of its way to make sure the game is as authentic as possible. Every tradition imaginable has been included — from the best teams in the sport to Group of Five programs. Hand signals are set to be a big part of the crowd experience as well, showing support of whatever team is playing.

Unfortunately, one will reportedly not be in the game. According to Chris Vannini of The Athletic, ‘Horns Down’ has not been included in EA College Football 25. Something rival fans of the Texas Longhorns, specifically Oklahoma, use on a regular basis, you will not see any of it in the upcoming video game.

“I’ve been told that Horns Down will NOT be in the video game,” Vannini said via X. “Only hand signals for your own team.”

On the flip side, Texas fans in crowds will be seen doing the traditional Hook ‘Em Horns, something thousands of fans flash during typical game days. Whether it’s at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the Cotton Bowl, or an opposing stadium — the hand signal is thought to be included.

A lot of excitement is building over EA Sports College Football 25 being just a couple of weeks away from the release. Texas finds will be happy to know ‘Horns Down’ will not be included while rival fans might be a little disappointed with the reported news.

Status of Horns Down updated by SEC coordinator of officials

The SEC has released a statement from its coordinator of officials on whether teams will be penalized for throwing the ‘Horns Down’ gesture during football games against Texas once the league expands in 2024.

In short, it will depend on how it is done. But it won’t be a blanket penalty.

“Unsportsmanlike conduct needs to fit 1 of 3 categories: Is it taunting an opponent? Is it making a travesty of the game? Is it otherwise compromising our ability to manage the game?” SEC coordinator of officials John McDaid said last summer, according to a report from Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

How those three questions get answered will determine whether a given celebration is ruled on.

But the Southeastern Conference appears to be erring on the side of caution when it comes to penalizing for gestures like Horns down, the Gator chomp or Ole Miss‘ Landshark symbol.

“There’s a difference between a player giving a signal directly in face of an opponent, as opposed to doing it w/teammates celebrating after a touchdown or on the sideline,” McDaid said. “To net all that out, every single occurrence is not an act of unsportsmanlike conduct.”