Ohio senator proposes bill to make flag-planting at Ohio Stadium illegal
An Ohio senator is proposing a bill to make flag-planting a felony in Ohio Stadium, USA Today's Anthony Shoemaker and Erin Glynn report.
The bill, called the "O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act," was introduced Tuesday by Sen. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township. It comes after the Nov. 30 melee between Michigan and Ohio State.
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."
A violation of the act would incur a fifth-degree felony, which could result in a fine of $2,500 and between 6-12 months imprisonment.
However, House Speaker Jason Stephens said the bill is "not gonna have time to be passed" in 2024. Any bills that aren't passed by year-end must be reintroduced, per Shoemaker and Glynn.
The Michigan-Ohio State brawl began after Wolverines players planted a flag in the middle of Ohio State's field following the team's 13-10 victory. Buckeyes players subsequently tore the flag down, and punches were thrown.
Players, photographers, and journalists were pepper sprayed by police officers while the brawl was being broken up. Both teams were fined $100,000 for violating the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy.
Ohio State made the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed. The Buckeyes will play Tennessee in the first round Dec. 21. Michigan didn't make the CFP and will play Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl.