A routine gesture of support turned into a literal headache for an Arizona college football coach during a recent game, drawing both concern and admiration from fans and players alike. On November 30, during a rivalry matchup between the University of Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils, Wildcats senior defensive assistant coach Chuck Cecil decided to fire up his players in a rather unconventional way.
In an attempt to motivate his team, Cecil head-butted one of the Wildcats players, who was fully suited up with a helmet. The intense gesture left Cecil with a bloodied forehead, although he appeared unfazed by the incident.
A now-viral video captured the moment and its aftermath, quickly gaining attention on X (formerly known as Twitter). The video, shared by Fox College Football, shows the 60-year-old Cecil repeatedly knocking his head against the player’s helmet. Later in the clip, Cecil is seen standing calmly on the sideline, blood trickling down his forehead, as if the incident had hardly registered with him.
Cecil himself took to X on Sunday, December 1, to address the attention the head-butting incident had received. In his post, he downplayed the situation and seemed amused by the reaction.
“Thanks for all the support and check-ins, but I’m not entirely sure what all the fuss is about; I didn’t even notice I was bleeding,” Cecil wrote, adding humor to the situation. “And it was a love tap, not a head butt!”
Cecil went on to poke fun at his age, acknowledging that perhaps turning 60 means he needs to take extra care moving forward. “Clearly, turning 60 means I need to be a bit more careful with the thin skin, and maybe we should issue a disclaimer: ‘Kids, don’t try this at home; leave it to the professionals!’”
Despite the incident, Cecil’s message ultimately shifted to what mattered most to him—his love for the Wildcats and his dedication to the team. In his post, he expressed his passion for the University of Arizona and emphasized the importance of rallying together for the program’s success.
“Seriously, there’s nothing that I love more (aside from my wife and daughter) than the University of Arizona, our players, and the incredible Wildcat community. We need to come together, rally around our team and kids, and work towards building a championship-winning program,” he wrote.
Cecil ended his post by reaffirming his commitment to the Wildcats, mentioning his decision to return from the NFL to help rebuild the program. “That’s my sole focus and the reason I returned from the NFL—to contribute in any way I can. Let’s bear down and make it happen!” he concluded, referencing the University of Arizona’s iconic catchphrase, “Bear down!”
Unfortunately, the spirited display wasn’t enough to help the Wildcats secure a victory. Arizona ultimately fell to Arizona State with a final score of 49-7, leaving them with a disappointing record of four wins and eight losses for the season.
Cecil’s dedication to the Wildcats is well-documented. According to his bio on the University of Arizona’s website, Cecil is a former NFL defensive coordinator and an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame. While this is his fourth season overall with the Wildcats, it marks his first in the role of senior defensive assistant coach, having previously served as the defensive backs coach from 2021 to 2023.
Despite the loss and the unexpected head-butting incident, Cecil remains committed to motivating his players and helping the program grow. His passion and enthusiasm, even at 60 years old, continue to inspire those around him, and his actions—however unconventional—showcase the kind of fiery dedication that has made him a respected figure in college football.
