Ohio Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Flag-Planting After OSU-Michigan Fight Video

Following the brawl that broke out between longtime rivals Michigan and Ohio State after the Wolverines' 13-10 win at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 30, an Ohio lawmaker is making a bold move in hopes of avoiding future incidents.

Per Anthony Shoemaker and Erin Glynn of the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act on Tuesday, which would make it a felony to plant a flag at the center of Ohio Stadium.

Officially dubbed House Bill 700 while it awaits approval, the law would "prohibit planting a flagpole and flag in the center of the Ohio Stadium football field on the day of a college football game and to name this act the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act."

Williams' effort comes after the Wolverines attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State's field after their upset win, sparking the fight. Both teams were fined $100,000 by the Big Ten for their roles in the fracas.

However, Shoemaker and Glynn pointed out that Williams' proposal is unlikely to gain momentum, as House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, indicated that it "doesn't have much hope." The two-year General Assembly will be wrapped up by next week and any bills that aren't passed by the end of the year will have to be reintroduced.

"Well, it's not gonna have time to be passed, you know, this late in the game," Stephens said.

Michigan will end its season in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama on Dec. 31. Ohio State is No. 8 in the College Football Playoff and will face No. 9 Tennessee in the first round on Dec. 21, with the winner taking on No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.