Ohio’s Proposed ‘Flag Planting Felony’ Law: A Petty Move in the Name of Sportsmanship

In what might be one of the most overly dramatic responses in sports history, an Ohio lawmaker is pushing to make flag planting on a football field a felony offense. Yes, you read that correctly: planting a flag could land someone in prison for up to a year, under the “O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act” introduced by Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams.

The bill, inspired by Michigan’s infamous flag-planting stunt after their November 30 victory over Ohio State, aims to outlaw the act at Ohio Stadium. According to Williams, this heinous crime not only disrespects “the institution” but poses a “true safety hazard.”

Here’s the gist of the proposed legislation:

“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. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.”

For context, a fifth-degree felony in Ohio carries penalties of six to 12 months in prison, up to a $2,500 fine, and up to five years’ probation. All of this, because someone dared to celebrate on a football field.

Williams claims this bill is about protecting players, law enforcement, and fans from the “dangers” of flag planting, which he insists set off a brawl and required pepper spray to diffuse. But it’s hard not to see this for what it really is: a petty attempt to legislate sportsmanship because Ohio State lost its big rivalry game.

According to Williams, the fines issued by the Big Ten—$100,000 for both Ohio State and Michigan—were laughable. “That’s pennies, that’s nothing,” he said. Meanwhile, Michigan’s coach Sherrone Moore doubled down on the rivalry by mimicking a flag-planting celebration at a basketball game, a move that Williams claims shows Michigan isn’t taking the matter seriously.

But is criminalizing flag planting really the solution? This is college football, not an international summit. Rivalries are built on passion, emotion, and, yes, sometimes a little showmanship.

If passed, this law would apply to Ohio State players as well, though Williams—describing himself as “a Buckeye, through and through”—seems more concerned with protecting his team’s honor than enforcing fairness.

The absurdity of this bill is hard to ignore. While law enforcement resources could be focused on actual crimes, Ohio lawmakers are debating whether planting a flag in celebration is worth turning someone into a felon.

For now, the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act faces an uphill battle, as Ohio’s General Assembly closes next week. But Williams has vowed to reintroduce the bill if necessary, determined to ensure no flag ever touches Ohio Stadium turf again.

Because, apparently, nothing says sportsmanship like turning harmless rivalry antics into a criminal offense.