Texas Tech family kicked out of U of H game after kids join in tortilla tradition

LUBBOCK, Texas — What started as a fun family trip to see Texas Tech play its first away game of the season turned into an unforgettable story for an Abilene family, all because of a few flying tortillas.

Cheyenne Toliver and Brandon Jones, along with their children, 9-year-old Karson and 7-year-old Lynlee, say they were removed from the University of Houston football game this past weekend after their kids’ tossed tortillas into the air, a long-standing Red Raider tradition.

“We’re rule followers,” Toliver said. “We didn’t even bring any tortillas in. But the kids picked one up after the first touchdown and threw it, just like we do at the Jones.”

The family said security approached them soon after and told them they needed to leave the stadium. The parents said they were “detained” on the concourse for more than 30 minutes as they asked to speak with a supervisor.

“They told us they caught us on camera,” Jones said. “We were just shocked, really? You’re kicking out two kids for a tortilla? Out of everyone who threw them!”

After explaining the situation, the family said a supervisor eventually allowed them to return to their seats, where they were met with cheers and high fives from fellow Tech fans.

“Our whole section stood up and cheered,” Toliver said. “It was the most heartwarming thing.”

The video of the family being escorted out quickly spread online, drawing thousands of views and plenty of reactions from Tech fans across the country.

“It’s wild,” Jones said. “We never thought letting our kids join in would go viral. But I guess that’s Raider Nation.”

Despite the ordeal, the family says their love for Texas Tech hasn’t wavered, though they might stick to home games for a while.

“We’ll go to Jones Stadium anytime,” Toliver said with a laugh. “But probably not back to Houston.”