Following Willis High School’s 77-0 win over Cleveland High School last Friday, the Willis Wildkats players decided to abandon handshakes in favor of spankings.
Each Wildkat went down the handshake line, offering a weak hand, and following it with a wallop to the backside of Cleveland players. The players then posed in the middle of the field, waving their belts wildly in the air.
The viral video is the latest in an online trend called the BTA challenge, standing for “Belt to a—s.” There are unconfirmed reports that this has happened in other football games, and multiple reports of a large uptick in unsportsmanlike conduct during handshake lines this year.
Cleveland ISD and Willis ISD were upset by the lack of sportsmanship. Both schools released statements that addressed the incident, respectively.
CISD release read:
The district is aware of a video making the rounds on social media involving the Willis High School varsity football team and their inappropriate actions towards our varsity football team following last Friday night’s game. Please know that the situation has been addressed by CISD earlier this week. Superintendent McCanless has personally spoken with the Willis ISD superintendent, and official complaints have been filed with UIL and DEC. CISD does not endorse unsportsmanlike conduct and will continue to take appropriate action moving forward.
Willis ISD release read:
We are deeply disappointed by the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by some of our football players following last week’s game against Cleveland. This behavior does not reflect the values of our district, and we are committed to ensuring it does not happen again. We have been in communication with the UIL and have submitted our proposed disciplinary actions for review. While we await their decision on any additional sanctions, the athletes involved have already faced consequences. They will be suspended for the first half of tomorrow’s game, required to complete community service, and have undergone disciplinary measures during football practice. We do not condone this behavior, and we are actively taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future. We want to express our deepest regrets to the athletes, coaches, parents, and community of Cleveland ISD.
The district also submitted proposed disciplinary actions to the UIL. So it seems, at least for the foreseeable future, the Wildkats will only use their belts to hold up their pants.
