Mack Brown says upside-down 'Hook 'Em Horns' is disrespectful

Brown's comments came Monday, two days after Texas wide receiver Mike Davis drew a flag for mocking Texas Tech's “Guns Up” sign.

Davis reportedly made the “Guns Up” sign and then holstered it after his two touchdown receptions in the Longhorns' 33-21 win Saturday at Texas Tech. Davis was warned the first time and penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the second.

Brown's comment about the upside-down Hook ‘Em Horns came in response to a direct question about that gesture, The Dallas Morning News reported.

"The Horns down is disrespectful," Brown said. "We ought to talk about that as a league."

A Texas cheerleader named Harley Clark created the “Hook ‘Em Horns” hand signal at a pep rally in 1955. And almost as soon as he flashed it (pinkie and index fingers up), some opponent turned it upside down.

Oklahoma Sooner fans and players have helped popularize it, though players are told not to do it after a sack, a gain or a touchdown (although some players have done it anyway.)

“It sounds like Texas whining, like they're always whining,” OU defensive end R.J. Washington said of Brown's comments. “Honestly, I thought that was a penalty. Coach Stoops told us not to do it when we played ‘em. He said it would be like showboating or excessive celebration or something like that.”