FORT WORTH, Texas — A college football player's touchdown celebration is sparking some controversy on social media.
It happened after Texas Tech scored a touchdown during the second quarter of Saturday's game against TCU.
After that touchdown, Texas Tech kicker Reese Burkhardt lifted his jersey to reveal a makeshift “Trump 2024 MAGA” shirt underneath. That caught the attention of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.
The caucus chairman, State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Houston), issued a statement on Monday morning, saying this highlights a double standard in state-funded institutions because of the state's recent ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public universities and institutions.
In the statement, Reynolds wrote, "If we are removing DEI programs in the name of keeping politics out of education, then we cannot allow political messages to slip in selectively. This is about consistency and integrity in our commitment to education and fairness."
Burkhardt is a fifth-year senior from Andalusia, Alabama.
Texas Tech hasn't addressed Burkhardt's display publicly, but according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, head football coach Joey McGuire has.
"We have addressed it. We will continue to address it. We're addressing internally," McGuire said. "You know, it's always one of things as far as whenever you're dealing with young adults, the really young adults, I guess, the choices that we make and when we make them and when you share it.
"As far as with him, we're going to deal with it," McGuire continued. "Dealt with it on Saturday and continue to talk through stuff and find the best solution and keep it in house."
