AUSTIN - Kaab Malik admits he didn't see the game live when Longhorn defensive end Colin Simmons took his faux potty break celebration after a sack during the Texas-Tennessee game more than two weeks ago, but nature called nevertheless.
Or, in this case, human nature.
So the 40-something owner of vape shot on The Drag near the Texas campus who considers himself a Longhorn fan couldn't resist. He couldn't help but recognize the, uh, edgy response from the Longhorns' edge rusher.
The New York-born shop owner of the iVAPE/ATX store on Guadalupe Street had a Dallas graphic designer draw up a T-shirt memorializing the moment with a design that shows Simmons in the act relieving himself over the OU logo, the outcome of that game in the Cotton Bowl notwithstanding. Texas lost 27-24 to the Sooners.
"The moment of passion," as Malik put it about Simmons' gesture, did draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Tennessee. But the Longhorns hung on to win that game.
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Malik said he understands some thought the Longhorn's behavior "a little gross or crass," but he's got Simmons' back. And front.
"It might have been a little crass to some people, but it was really the passion," Malik said. "He's worked his whole life. It represented a lifetime of work. Some think he did this disgusting action. They don't see the endless practices and the sacrifices the parents had made.
"He's made sacks before. But the moment of passion was flaring out, and I thought that was such a beautiful display."
It's hardly a big money-maker and not selling anywhere close to hotcakes, just more of a fun novelty item for his vape business. Malik ordered only 35 of the creations and has sold about half of the T-shirts, which come in black, white and orange and go for 20 bucks.
But he also draped one of the T-shirts over his A-frame exhibit outside the story and has attracted more than a few eyeballs.
"I would say out of 100 reactions, maybe 20 are gonna be like ‘Oh my goodness,' but there's always a reaction," he said. "But 80 to 90% of the people, I would say they love it. They're smiling, they laugh. They stop, take pictures."
Malik was hoping to print similar T-shirts, trading the OU logo for the Florida Gators, Texas' opponent at Royal-Memorial Stadium on Saturday. But this could be a one-off.
"This is a funny, little moment that happened," Malik said. "Why not preserve it for a little bit?"
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Comic relief? Austin entrepreneur commemorates Colin Simmons' celebration on a T-shirt with a twist.