Texas Longhorns Colin Simmons' vulgar sack celebration was inexcusable for a Christian athlete

Simmons, who claims to be a Christian, used to be best known for what he did following winning the Texas 6A Division I state championship with Duncanville High School. He brought a Bible onto the field and boldly proclaimed, "It ain't nobody but God!" In the biggest moment of his high school career, he pointed people to God. He deferred the glory, honor, and praise from himself and gave it to his Creator. It was refreshing to witness, just like it is every time we hear a player or coach do in their brightest moments. Now, Simmons is unfortunately known for one of college football's most vulgar sack celebrations ever.

Following a clutch third down sack, deep in the Tennessee side of the field, Simmons simulated pulling his penis out and peeing on the field. It wasn't just immature; it was utterly disgusting. Kirk Herbstreit called it "idiotic" on the broadcast and Chris Fowler, also calling the game, said it "it doesn't much [more] vulgar" than what Simmons did.

What Simmons did wasn't just wrong as an athlete in a public setting. He was representing much more than just the Longhorns on national television, as a professing Christian, he's always representing Jesus Christ and the faith as a whole. No, thankfully the Christian faith isn't based on the moral failings of Simmons and I, but what we say and do are undoubtedly a reflection of our faith. That makes what he did much worse, in my opinion. No, that's also not to say an atheist athlete should be able to get away with this and shouldn't have to apologize. I'm simply stating that Christians, like myself, are held to the highest moral and ethical standards.

Chambliss ended up apologizing postgame while wearing a "Jesus Won" T-shirt, showing true remorse for allowing the heat of the moment to cause himself to be a poor reflection of his faith saying, ""That's not who I am. I'm deeply, deeply apologetic to Holly Rowe & everyone who was listening."

But what Simmons did was something that was incredibly difficult to imagine a professing Christian athlete ever doing. We all have trouble taming our tongue. I know I've had trouble with that over the years playing sports, and in times of frustration, but having a premeditated sack celebration with that level of vulgarity is inexcusable.

In the Bible, 1 Peter 4 addresses the Christians of the early church, who are called, just as Christians of this day and age, to hold themselves to a higher standard than they once did when they weren't Christians. As believers, we are to pursue holiness and encourage each other to pursue it, too.

That is why I'm calling my professed brother in Christ, Colin Simmons, to hold himself to that standard. I'm calling his Christian teammates, family members, coaches, and more, to help hold him accountable. Lord knows I need accountability too. Proverbs 17:7 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We can't do this Christian walk alone, and when money, status, and fame cause us to stumble, and lose sight of who we are, we need others to call us to repentance and get back on the straight and narrow pathway.

Christians have a moral framework from which we draw and are expected to live out. The unbelieving world and other Christians don't expect us to be perfect, but they certainly have every right to call us out on hypocrisy. I believe there is a moral standard embedded in every human and society, giving us an innate understanding of right and wrong to an extent, but there's no question whether actions like this by Simmons are wrong. It has no place in football. That's for sure.

Simmons tweeted after the game, "All Glory To God