Police Say Use of Pepper Spray in Ohio State-Michigan Postgame Brawl Was Justified

Reviews conducted by university and county police stated officers were justified in using pepper spray and physical force while breaking up an on-field brawl following Michigan's 13-10 win at Ohio State last November, according to documents obtained via public records requests by The Athletic's Matt Baker.

Fighting involving both teams broke out on Nov. 30 after Michigan planted the flag at midfield in celebration. Police attempted to form a line between the combatants, and OSU Police confirmed after the incident that multiple officers had used pepper spray.

The reports obtained by Baker also confirm police threatened to Tase a player, an incident seen in body camera video released by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in December. The review stated the use of the Taser, which was not turned on, was justified.

A review by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office shared conflicting reports as to which department had first deployed pepper spray, with one report naming the University of Michigan police and another describing simultaneous use by University of Michigan and Franklin County police, according to Baker.

Ohio State University Police Division detective Douglas Cunningham, who confirmed he used pepper spray, said he used the tool because of what he described as the "growing threat" presented by the crowd, per Baker:

“Several people were on the ground, police officers were being pushed and shoved by large, highly trained and skilled division one football athletes in full football game attire. The players had the advantage in both size, strength, conditioning, protective gear and they outnumbered the police presence trying to suppress the growing threat.”

Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Bellamy wrote about striking a player in the reports obtained by Baker. According to Baker, Bellamy described taking action after seeing a Wolverines player "standing over" a university police officer:

“Due to the officer’s back and weapon being exposed and uncertain of the player’s intentions amidst the chaos … I used a single handstrike with a closed fist to the neck area (due to the player wearing a helmet and pads) in an effort to force him off the pile."

Both officers' actions were described as reasonable after review, although Bellamy was reprimanded for not reporting the use of force and for not having his body camera turned on, per Baker.

WCMH Columbus originally reported in December that one person had been arrested and charged with criminal trespassing after coming onto the field during the brawl. The reviews obtained by Baker identified that person as 45-year-old Florida resident Abraham Clark. His court case is scheduled for March 11.

The Big Ten fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each in December following the brawl, saying at the time the conference "considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment."