Heads Up, Players: Heckling Is Now Against the Law in Texas

Playing a sport you love is all about competition and respect—but sometimes, parents and fans take things too far. Heckling at high school sports games has gotten out of hand, with fans reportedly directing verbal and physical abuse toward players and officials.

To combat this, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed a new law, Senate Bill 2929, that gives officials the authority to immediately remove anyone causing a disturbance.

This new law comes at a crucial time. In 2022, the National Federation of High School Associations reported a shortage of 50,000 officials nationwide since 2018. A major factor contributing to this decline is the ongoing verbal and physical abuse from parents and fans.

What The Numbers Say

• A survey of over 35,000 officials found that 12% had been physically assaulted during or after a game they worked.
• In Houston, the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) needs 400 more officials to meet the growing demand. A key reason for this shortage is the poor behavior of parents and fans at games.
• The verbal and physical abuse isn’t limited to officials. Last September, a group of students from Arlington Heights shouted racial slurs at Hispanic cheerleaders during a football game.

While some parents believe the new law gives officials too much power, many officials and players feel it’s a necessary step to protect everyone involved and bring back the true spirit of high school sports.