Football is a physical, high-contact sport where it’s easy for tempers to flare and emotions to fly. As a result, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties happen pretty frequently as players taunt each other, celebrate too hard, or get a little physical after the whistle. But one BYU Cougars player got flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a pretty unique reason during Thursday night’s game against the Utah State Aggies.
After assisting on a tackle against Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas during the game, BYU linebacker Max Tooley made quite the baffling decision. With Legas’ shoe sitting under him, Tooley decided to pick it up and throw it away from the pile of players, presumably so that Legas would have to spend time retrieving it.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) September 30, 2022
Tooley likely hoped that nobody would notice his shoe throw, but unfortunately for him, the referees did catch him. The officials threw a flag on Tooley’s act, penalizing him and the BYU Cougars 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
It’s quite a unique way to receive a 15-yard penalty, and the college football world had plenty to say about it on Thursday night.
Unsportsmanlike conduct: cleat toss
To quote Austin Powers, “Who throws a shoe?!” pic.twitter.com/iLa07oGnBQ
— Unsportsmanlike Conduct (@UnsportsCond) September 30, 2022
Did Florida not teach you anything?!? pic.twitter.com/qOUWmWMm1S
— Jonathan Williams (@Dr_JWill) September 30, 2022
We got a show throw. Where’s Al Bundy when you need him. #collegefootball
— The College Football & Basketball Experience (@TCEonSGPN) September 30, 2022
Someone didn’t watch Florida-LSU from couple years ago pic.twitter.com/MEGaGhSASI
— RunYourPool (@RunYourPool_) September 30, 2022
Ahhh the old Shoe Throw… pic.twitter.com/5GuCg6ET7k
— uSTADIUM uNIVERSITY (@uSTADIUMCollege) September 30, 2022
WHO THROWS A SHOE?? HONESTLY?pic.twitter.com/RtykhfnRy3
— Spark College Football (@SparkCFB) September 30, 2022
Shockingly, this wasn’t the first time a player was flagged for throwing an opponent’s shoe. During the 2020 season, Florida Gators defensive back Marco Wilson infamously earned a 15-yard penalty for throwing an LSU player’s shoe, extending LSU’s drive and ultimately costing them the game.