Soft: Ohio lawmaker wants to make ‘flag planting’ a felony after Michigan vs. Ohio State postgame fiasco

There are levels to how soft one can be. Ohio lawmaker Josh Williams is what we call ultra charmin soft after he proposed a new law that would make flag planting at football games a felony charge.

Williams introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act this week, which would classify flag planting at Ohio Stadium during Buckeyes football games as a fifth-degree felony. This legislation follows a heated incident after Michigan’s victory on Nov. 30, when the Wolverines attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State’s turf, igniting a brawl that required pepper spray to separate players and staff. The confrontation left one officer injured and is still under investigation.

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Breaking Down The O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act

According to the proposed bill, “No person shall plant a flagpole with a flag attached to it in the center of the football field at Ohio Stadium of the Ohio State University on the day of a college football competition, whether before, during, or after the competition.” A violation would result in a fifth-degree felony, carrying penalties of six to 12 months in prison, up to a $2,500 fine, and as many as five years of probation.

Williams, who represents Ohio’s 41st district near the Ohio-Michigan border, views the legislation as a necessary step to ensure safety and preserve sportsmanship. The Buckeye fanbase and its long-standing rivalry with Michigan add cultural weight to this debate. Williams pointed out that similar incidents across multiple games during Rivalry Week underscored the need for intervention.

“[Ohio State-Michigan] is the No. 1 rivalry in all of sports, not just college sports, and to see it devolve to this level disrespects the institutions and the programs,” Williams said. “More importantly, it creates a true safety hazard.”

The NCAA and Big Ten Conference have already begun addressing these incidents. Both Ohio State and Michigan received $100,000 fines following the postgame altercation, but Williams dismissed the penalties as insufficient. “That’s pennies,” he remarked. “That’s nothing.”

NCAA President Charlie Baker has acknowledged the growing issue, noting ongoing discussions about stricter policies to prevent such behavior. However, Williams believes the problem requires criminal penalties, particularly to deter individuals crossing state lines and disregarding university rules.

Williams emphasized that his legislation is not just about Ohio State but a broader statement on sportsmanship. “This is a shot across the bow,” he said, signaling his intent to reintroduce the bill if the NCAA or individual schools fail to act.

The cultural significance of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry cannot be overstated, and it’s clear that Williams’ proposed law has sparked as much debate as the games themselves. Even Michigan coach Sherrone Moore fanned the flames by mimicking a flag-planting gesture at a basketball game following the incident.

For Williams, the issue cuts deeper than rivalry theatrics. Having coached youth sports for 15 years, he’s passionate about instilling respect and good sportsmanship. He also made it clear the bill would apply to Ohio State players planting flags after home games. “We take our loss on the chin and live to fight another day,” Williams said. “Michigan should have done the same.”

With Ohio’s General Assembly closing soon, the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act is unlikely to pass in the current session. Williams, however, is committed to reintroducing it in the next legislative cycle, believing it sends a strong message about safety and respect in collegiate sports.

The truth behind this bogus Ohio proposed law

The bottom line, this is the softest shit I’ve ever seen. And it’s clear that this bill would not have been proposed had Ohio State won that ball game against Michigan. This isn’t because it happened all across college football during Rivalry Week. It’s because Williams’ favorite team lost its fourth straight game against Michigan and made an ass out of themselves in the process.

The flag plant is a tradition in college football. If you don’t want it happening on your home turf, win the game. It’s as simple as that. This law does nothing but coddle college students who should know better than to try and start a riot after losing a football game. It’s not on lawmakers to try and prevent this kind of stuff, it’s on the institutions to teach these kids better etiquette.

This also just paints Ohio State fans in general as soft — a label they’ve been trying to run away from for years now.

There are bigger issues facing Ohio residents than a flag plant following a football game. Williams is just wasting everyone’s time and effort. This law would have no tangible effect on the lives of Ohio residents. It’s bogus and embarrassing that a lawmaker would actually propose this at a time where so many residents are struggling with real issues.

Ohio residents, if you’re reading this, please vote this idiot out of office. You deserve better.