Ohio Rep. Josh Williams has proposed a bill that would make it a felony to plant the state flag in Ohio, drawing criticism, including criticism from a prominent sportscaster.
ESPN's Elle Duncan is among those now making fun of the proposal, as he revealed on Thursday's “Taking the Elle” segment on SportsCenter.
She called Williams' proposal “the softest thing I've seen today.”
Duncan is a Republican lawmaker who introduced the Ohio State Sportsman's Bill after last month's Michigan-Ohio State game, when the Wolverines tried to plant a Michigan flag in the middle of the field, causing an on-field scuffle. (called the Ship Act). Ohio State Stadium.
If passed, this bill would make such conduct at Ohio Stadium a felony.
Mr Duncan characterized the move as a ploy to “curry favor with voters through an appearance of integrity”.
“You can't actually put a flag in Ohio State's stadium, so this is unnecessary because it's grass,” Duncan added. “Secondly, this is extraordinary. They're actually trying to police sportsmanship as if that's the job of legislators. Do you really know whose job it is? That's the coach's job.”
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The ESPN host pointed to the fact that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian prevented his players from planting flags on the field after the win over Texas A&M.
Duncan also disputed that flag-planting is more dangerous than students charging onto the field or pulling down goalposts, both of which are well-known traditions in college sports. Ta.
“The deal is these young men are gladiators and every time they step onto the field they risk serious injury,” she said. “And while we sit back and support it, do we need a law now that teaches emotional control in winning and losing? Idiot, I’m sorry, I really do.
“The real sin was losing at home to our rivals as 24-point favorites.”
Despite being ridiculed by college football fans and now a host on ESPN, Williams remains hopeful that the bill will move forward.
In a video posted on TikTok This week, Williams was told by someone on the internet that he was considered to be open to the bill.
He simply replied, “I don't care.”
When the person who shot the video asked another state lawmaker, Rep. Tim Berhorst, what he thought, Berhorst said Williams was just trying to help make sportsmanship cool again.
“If I have to be called a softie to preserve the integrity of our organization and prevent law enforcement officers from being injured in violent encounters in the field because of the flag, I'm a softie. I don't care if you say that,” Williams retorted to the person videotaping him.
The video then cut to Williams talking with the videographer about the Buckeyes' situation and agreeing that head coach Ryan Day “needs to step down.”
