Ohio lawmaker proposes felony for flag-planting at Ohio Stadium

Ohio Lawmaker Proposes Felony Charges for Flag-Planting at Ohio Stadium

In the world of college football, rivalries are the lifeblood of the sport. But what happens when the passion of a rivalry spills over into chaos? That’s exactly what unfolded after Michigan’s stunning Nov. 30 victory over Ohio State in Columbus, and now, an Ohio lawmaker is looking to make sure it doesn’t happen again—at least not without serious consequences.

Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams has introduced a bill that would make flag-planting at Ohio Stadium during Buckeyes football games a felony. Yes, you read that right—a felony. The proposed legislation, dubbed the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act, comes in direct response to Michigan’s attempt to plant its flag at midfield following their upset win, an act that sparked a full-blown brawl between the two teams. The melee got so out of hand that police had to use pepper spray to separate players and staff, and an officer was injured in the process. The incident is still under investigation by Ohio State University police and other law enforcement agencies.

According to the bill, “No person shall plant a flagpole with a flag attached to it in the center of the football field at Ohio stadium of the Ohio State University on the day of a college football competition, whether before, during, or after the competition. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.”

For those unfamiliar with Ohio’s legal system, a fifth-degree felony is the least severe felony classification in the state. However, it’s no slap on the wrist. Violators could face six to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to five years of probation. That’s a hefty price to pay for a postgame celebration gone wrong.

Why This Bill, and Why Now?

Rep. Williams, a Republican representing Ohio’s 41st district near the Ohio-Michigan border, says the bill is about more than just football. It’s about safety, respect, and sportsmanship. “After it happened at five separate games during rivalry week, and seeing that there was no immediate movement, I thought it was necessary to send a signal to our institutions of higher learning that they need to come up with policies to prevent this in the future so it doesn’t risk harm to our law enforcement officers or student-athletes or fans,” Williams told ESPN.

Williams didn’t mince words when discussing the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, calling it “the No. 1 rivalry in all of sports, not just college sports.” He added, “To see it devolve all the way down to this level, it just disrespects not only the institution, but the college programs themselves. More importantly, it provided a true safety hazard.”

What’s Next for the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act?

The timing of the bill’s introduction is tricky. Ohio’s two-year General Assembly closes next week, meaning the legislation will likely need to be reintroduced in the next cycle. But Williams is prepared to do just that if the Big Ten, NCAA, or individual schools don’t take further steps to address flag-planting incidents. He described the bill as “a shot across the bow, putting our institutions on notice.”

So far, the Big Ten has issued $100,000 fines to both Ohio State and Michigan for their roles in the postgame brawl, but no individual discipline has been announced. Williams dismissed the fines as insignificant, saying, “That’s pennies, that’s nothing.”

Flag-Planting: A Growing Trend?

Flag-planting has become a controversial trend in college football, particularly during rivalry games. Williams noted that similar incidents occurred at five different games during rivalry week, underscoring the need for action. He also criticized Michigan coach Sherrone Moore, who mimicked flag-planting during a basketball game against Iowa, calling it a sign that Michigan isn’t taking the issue seriously. “That indicates that that institution is not taking this incident seriously,” Williams said. “We’re bragging about it, and it’s going to continue in the future, and that’s going to cause increased risk, increased security costs and potential for violence, as a result of a college football game.”

Williams’ Personal Connection to the Rivalry

Williams, who earned his law degree from the University of Toledo, describes himself as “a Buckeye, through and through.” But his family includes both Ohio State and Michigan fans, giving him a unique perspective on the rivalry. “We have a great rivalry. I enjoy the rivalry, win, lose or draw,” he said. Reflecting on Michigan’s victory, he added, “That was a tight game. It wasn’t a blowout victory. You know, Michigan should have taken its victory, and we take our loss on the chin and live to fight another day, concentrate on the next week and the next year, the next recruitment period. But instead, we have to have this conversation.”

Key Takeaways

• The O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act would make flag-planting at Ohio Stadium a fifth-degree felony.
• Violators could face up to 12 months in prison, a $2,500 fine, and five years of probation.
• The bill is a response to Michigan’s flag-planting attempt after their Nov. 30 win over Ohio State, which led to a brawl.
• Rep. Josh Williams plans to reintroduce the bill if no further action is taken by the Big Ten, NCAA, or schools.

Whether you see this as a necessary step to preserve sportsmanship or an overreaction to a heated rivalry, one thing is clear: the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry just got even more intense.