Ohio Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Outlaw Flag Planting at Ohio Stadium After Rivalry Game Brawl
A brawl broke out at midfield after a recent Michigan-Michigan State football game, prompting an Ohio state lawmaker to introduce a new bill to outlaw the act. Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams introduced the O.H.I.O Sportsmanship Act in response to the post-game fight that erupted between the two teams.
The brawl occurred on November 30 after Michigan players attempted to plant a flag on Ohio State’s logo, prompting a battle with their rivals. Law enforcement stepped in to break up the fight, using pepper spray to disperse the crowd of players who continued to shove and push each other.
Both Michigan and Ohio State were fined $100,000 by the Big Ten Conference for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy. The new bill would make it a felony for anyone to plant a flag at Ohio Stadium on game day, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine.
The legislation states, “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.”
