An Ohio lawmaker wants to make it a felony to plant a flag in the center of Ohio Stadium.
The move comes after a fight broke out between Ohio State and Michigan players after the Wolverines tried to plant a flag on OSU’s field after defeating the Buckeyes 13-10 on Nov. 30. The Big Ten fined Ohio State and Michigan $100,000 apiece for each team’s role in the fight.
State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act Tuesday.
“I am proud to introduce the O.H.I.O Sportsmanship Act to make flag planting at midfield a felony in the state of Ohio. Behavior that incites violent brawls and puts our law enforcement officers in danger has no place on the football field,” Williams posted on X.
House Bill 700 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.”
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Like most teams that take on the Buckeyes, the bill doesn’t have much hope, according to House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill.
Lawmakers are wrapping up the two-year General Assembly next week and any bills that don’t pass by the end of the year would have to be reintroduced.
“Well, it’s not gonna have time to be passed, you know, this late in the game,” Stephens said.