In between the noise and holly of this merry holiday season, an Ohio lawmaker is venting his inner grievances.
In late November, in response to the brawls that erupted in the final stages of the Ohio-Michigan election campaign, state Rep. Josh Williams (R-Ohio) introduced a bill that would make it a felony to plant a flag in the heart of Ohio. proposed. stadium.
According to the brief filed by Williams: House Bill 700 It would “prohibit the erection of flagpoles and flags in the center of the football field at Ohio Stadium on college football game days.”
The motion, which Williams dubbed the “Ohio Sportsmanship Law,” proposes convicting the perpetrators of a “fifth degree felony.”
The NCAA took its own steps to curb future untoward incidents following the brawls at Michigan State and Ohio State, levying $100,000 fines on both programs, but Williams' fifth-degree felony charge against Ohio State That could result in 6 to 12 felonies. A month in jail or up to five years of community control, or probation, would be a much stronger deterrent.
All hell broke out at the end of a rivalry game in which University of Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore had just won a huge 13-10 upset against the No. 1 school at the time. 2 Ohio State University attempted to plant the school's maize and blue flag over the Buckeye logo at midfield.
What came next wasn't the best looking thing.
By the time the Michigan flag was ripped off Moore by Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer, much damage had been done. Police officers in Ohio were only able to quell the riot by firing pepper spray into the unruly crowd.
While the flag-fueling fight grabbed most of the headlines that fateful Saturday, similar controversies were sparked across the country, from North Carolina to Florida to Arizona.
At each site, the story was pretty much the same.
Flag-raising, like courtroom raids, is a cousin of putting dogs on fire hydrants as a way to claim territory and assert dominance, and is as much a part of the American college sports experience as warm keg beer and tailgating.
Fortunately for the Michigan edge rusher and future Ohio State candidate, there is little chance of House Bill 700 passing this year.
Lawmakers are concluding a two-year session next week. According to the Port Clinton News Heraldbills that are not passed during the 2024 calendar year must be reintroduced in the next cycle.
Christmas was saved. At least for now.
