The Weird, Wild World of UConn Twitter has brought us a brand new bit of insanity this week, with the Hot Sauce Accountability Challenge. It started with our man Penfield, saying he would eat a spoonful of hot sauce if UConn came back from down 18 to beat Marquette.
And we all know how that one turned out.
https://t.co/LcezPctOjv pic.twitter.com/gysIhdzY4b
— Penfield (@BpenfieldJ) January 6, 2021
Penfield is a man of his word, and as that video made the rounds, the self-appointed president of bizarro UConn twitter, Mister Hot Balls, spread the hot sauce nonsense far and wide. Bad tweets that question the greatness of our beautiful Huskies must be atoned for with hot sauce consumption.
BREAKING: a very important message from your President pic.twitter.com/HTXSxhrL91
— Mr. (Cauldron of) Hot Balls ☄️☄️ (@MisterHotBalls) January 9, 2021
The next thing you know, various and sundry members of UConn Twitter were posting videos of themselves drinking hot sauce via spoons, shots, and even martini glasses (keepin’ it classy). Everyone is accountable, apparently.
A refreshing martini to celebrate the @UConnMBB win pic.twitter.com/uKlhGOMUpW
— Quamme (@Quammstah) January 9, 2021
I cannot explain this particular piece of collective psychosis, but as a new gameday dawned, and then as UConn looked like they might not pull it out against DePaul last night, the hot sauce promises continued, and a fresh wave of hot sauce quaffing crossed the Twitterverse.
My mouth is almost as on fire as Tyler Polley from 3 #HotSauceHuskies https://t.co/F55AlTTDO7 pic.twitter.com/wWArUWpDuh
— Abby (@abigailmarie53) January 11, 2021
Today, however, the stakes have grown. The Husky Ticket Project challenged the hot sauce imbibing masses to put their money where their ulcers are, and donate $5 for every hot sauce shot. Penfield, that beautiful banana cracker, upped the stakes even further.
Here’s my commitment. If we can raise $2000 I’ll take eat a big spoonful of Dave’ Insanity Ghost pepper sauce. If we raise $4000 I’ll do a spoonful of Torchbearer Garlic Reaper Sauce and if we get to $5000 I’ll do a shot of The Last Dab. I’ll kick things off with a $100 donation https://t.co/tjvFudPI9g
— Penfield (@BpenfieldJ) January 12, 2021
As of this writing, over $3,000 has been raised from 58 donations for the Husky Ticket Project, which sends kids to UConn sporting events that they might not otherwise have the chance to experience. According to our friends over there, this is the single biggest fundraising day since they started. It’s a great cause, you can check them out here. All donations are welcome, big or small. We’re creating the next generation of Husky fans, one ticket at a time.
And, just to be clear, I will not be knocking back any hot sauce, as it is bad, and I do not like it. But I have made a shiny donation to our friends at the Husky Ticket Project, and I wish Penfield and his innards the best of luck.
Update, 1/13/2020, 10 a.m.: Folks, this has blown up! The glorious maniacs of UConn Twitter have raised an absurd $7,000 for the Husky Ticket Project in just a single day. You’re amazing, I love you all. Additionally! Dan Toscano, Chair of the UConn Board of Trustees and Class of ’87, has generously offered up his own seats to a future UConn game. That’s six seats right behind the bench at Gampel or the XL. Get your donation in by 8 p.m. tonight, and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Friend of ADB, Matt Necci, aka UConnNetch, will be administering the raffle, and he’s a lawyer, so you know it’s legit. Guys, I’m so proud to be a part of this ridiculous, crazy, Mad Online, and wildly generous fanbase. Let’s show the rest of these fan bases how we do it in Connecticut.
