After a Texas judge granted quarterback Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction to resume football activities, Texas Tech has received relentless criticism. In the midst of boycott rumors and backlash over letting the scenario escalate, their athletics director has released a statement.

“I have two sons, including one who recently graduated from Texas Tech and played football. Throughout this process, I've kept asking myself: How would I approach this situation if this were my own son?” Kirby Hocutt said on June 10.

Sorsby, 22, is under NCAA investigation for violating the guidelines on g****** and placing b*** on several teams and the Indiana Hoosiers when he was part of them in 2022. He countered the NCAA by filing a lawsuit and stated his reasons to indulge in those activities. 

“My bets were purely intended to make me feel more connected to the game and my teammates and to give me more of a reason to root for my teammates,” Sorsby stated in his affidavit. 

He argued that as a true freshman with several quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, there “was no reasonable chance” that he would play. According to a report by USA Today, Sorsby had placed b*** on Major League Baseball, UFC, tennis, Romanian soccer, Turkish basketball, and Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Hocutt addressed Sorsby’s health issues, empathised with him and stated that the program is involved in his lawsuit against the NCAA.

“Texas Tech is not a party to Brendan's lawsuit. We did not file it. We did not fund it,” the 55-year-old said. “A young man in treatment for a clinically diagnosed addiction exercised his legal right to seek a remedy in court, and a judge agreed with him. Our role has been to support his recovery, not to engineer his eligibility.”

He also argued that Sorsby is yet to play for Texas Tech and is suspended in the first two games of this season, per the ruling. As for the boycott plans brewing against his program, Hocutt addressed them and revealed what they would.

Texas Tech Adamant On Putting Brendan Sorsby’s Health And Recovery First

After a Texas court ruled in quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s favor, NCAA president Charlie Baker called for Congressional action.

Kirby Hocutt’s counterparts across Power 4 have engaged in “serious talks” over boycotting Texas Tech as these developments have left them “disgusted,” and “stunned.” 

According to On3’s sources, the school is prepared to file a lawsuit against the league and all schools that refuse to play against the Red Raiders. They notified the Big 12 officials as of June 10.

Jim Phillips, ACC commissioner, told ESPN the ruling is “eroding the integrity of our process.”

In his statement over the landmark ruling, Kirby stated that he and the program are determined to help Sorsby.

“The integrity of sport matters. So does the integrity of how we treat a 22-year-old who sought help, entered residential treatment, and is working every day toward recovery. Those two things don't have to be in conflict,” he replied.

College football is at a precarious but defining point in its history. As it navigated the new dilemma, Texas Tech has backed Sorsby. What are your thoughts on this matter?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar