NFL Legend Shreds Ryan Day & Co.’s Double Standards as OSU’s Flag Planting ‘Rule’ Turns into Full-Blown Controversy

Flag planting after rivalry games or, let’s say, in any game, has always been a bold move, but it seems Ohio State and Michigan’s controversy is not going to stop any day soon. It’s been days since the Buckeyes fell short against the Wolverines for the fourth straight time, and they are making things trickier day by day. Have you heard about it? State Rep. Josh Williams has introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act, a bill aimed at cracking down on this heated tradition. Believe it or not, from analysts to college football veterans, everyone is criticizing this move.

Recently,

on the 4th & 1 with Cam Newton show, host Cam Newton made sharp comments on Ohio State. This dude has played 11 years in the NFL and has been with the Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers in his collegiate career. He started by recalling the incident. “What was Ohio State still doing on the field? Like y’all took your L, bro, y’all knew what they were trying to do, and that guest, they were not trying to do it. Why are the teams still out there on the field?”

Being a guy who has played 11 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL and playing for the Gators and Auburn Tigers at the collegiate level holds so much knowledge of this sport. That’s the reason he adds a different perspective to this story that turned out in a brawl the other day.

November 30 came out as a shock for Ohio State as they lost 10-13 to the Wolverines. However, when Michigan defensive back Derrick Moore attempted to plant a block “M” flag at Ohio Stadium midfield, several Ohio State players confronted Sherrone Moore. The incident picked when a buckeye tore the flag off its pole. Ugly stuff happened that night. Both sides of the players threw punches; police had to intervene in all that.

“Yes, I’m with Unc [Shannon Sharpe] here. Like I want to be as disrespectful as possible. It’s just all good rivalry. This is for us to waive our flag on your field. Now, planting it in the middle of the field? You just got to take your big L with that one. Now, if that flag touched me? I’m going to whip your as-.” Newton said.

In his comments after the game, Shannon Sharpe had said that when it comes to divisional opponents [in the case of the NFL] when he was playing, he wanted to be as disrespectful as possible. On the contrary, Newton still draws a line at any physical altercation. However, the mere act of planting the flag, you got to take your L as a losing team.

However, after the bill was introduced by Ohio state lawmaker Josh Williams, things are becoming more conflicted. More or less, the bill is a slap that planting a flag at the center of the Ohio State field will count as a fifth-degree felony charge. Yeah, not kidding!

What is the bill all about?

Williams, repping Ohio’s 41st district near the Ohio-Michigan border, proposed an O.H.I.O. bill that says that planting a flag on the Buckeye’s home turf before, during, or after the game could charge with 6 or 12 months in prison added with a fine of $2,500 and up to five years of probation. Williams, being an Ohio State fan, believes that this bill is more than pride; it ensures safety for players, fans, and even the law.

“It’s not just about this rivalry; it’s about the message we send. When Michigan tried to plant its flag, it wasn’t just disrespectful; it was dangerous. Rivalry weekend saw multiple incidents like this, and it’s time schools take this stuff seriously.”

With Ohio’s general assembly wrapping up soon, the bill may need reintroduction in the coming year. William even advocated that the Big Ten’s $100,000 fines for both teams were insufficient and commented on Sherrone Moore for mimicking a flat plate at a recent basketball game. Only the coming days will tell if this bill gets passed, but it will also be chaos and drama as it has started already.