Ohio lawmaker wants to make flag planting a felony after The Game brawl

After several fights broke out during rivalry week after teams planted flags on their opponents’ fields, there has been some discussion about whether things need to change. Now, a lawmaker in Ohio is taking things into his own hands.

State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act Tuesday. That act would make it a felony offense to plant a flag in the center of Ohio Stadium.

The bill would “prohibit planting a flagpole and flag in the center of the Ohio Stadium football field on the day of a college football game and to name this act the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act.” Notably, this bill specifically references Ohio Stadium. So, it would presumably not include flag planting incidents at other college football stadiums in the state of Ohio, like Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.

This comes after Ohio State and Michigan fought following their most recent game when Wolverines players went to plant a flag at midfield and several Ohio State players looked to stop them. Eventually, police officers used pepper spray and the Big Ten would fine each side $100,000 for the incident.

Despite being introduced, there isn’t a lot of hope of actually getting this bill passed into law. House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill explained that the timing is going to make things difficult. The two-year General Assembly wraps up next week. So, if it doesn’t pass before then, it will need to be re-introduced.

This story will be updated.

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