COLUMBUS, Ohio – After Michigan won its fourth-straight game against Ohio State, an Ohio lawmaker wants to make it a felony to plant a flag on a football field.
The bill, ironically named the "O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act," was introduced Tuesday by Ohio Sen. Josh Williams, a Republican from Sylvania Township.
The proposal comes about two weeks after Michigan upset Ohio State at the Horseshoe and tried to plant a Block M flag at midfield. That sparked a scuffle between players from both teams.
Williams' 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.”
Violating the bill would be a fifth-degree felony punishable by 6-12 months behind bars and a $2,500 fine.
House Speaker Jason Stephens said there’s not enough time to pass the bill by the end of 2024, so it’ll have to be reintroduced.
Michigan went into Columbus as a 20-point underdog this season and pulled off a massive 13-10 upset.
During the postgame scuffle, multiple players were pepper-sprayed by police, and video shows some officers pulling out their Tasers.
Ohio State got the No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff and will host No. 9 Tennessee. Michigan is playing No. 11 Alabama in the Reliaquest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) on New Year’s Eve.
