Baker Mayfield doesn’t believe the NCAA should ban flag planting: ‘Let the boys play.’
The quarterback, who gained fame for his bold act of planting an Oklahoma flag at Ohio State’s midfield after a 2017 victory, views recent altercations stemming from similar flag-planting incidents as a natural part of college football rivalries. He expressed his thoughts after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a thrilling 26-23 overtime win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
“I’ll say this: OU-Texas does it every time they play,” Mayfield remarked. “It’s not anything special. You take your ‘L’ and you move on. I’ll leave it at that.”
On the same day, the Big Ten Conference imposed a $100,000 fine on both Michigan and Ohio State for violating sportsmanship policies following a chaotic scene at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus, Ohio. Tensions escalated when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the Buckeyes’ logo, leading to a confrontation with Ohio State players.
The situation quickly deteriorated into a physical altercation. Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the Wolverines’ flag from its pole as players engaged in shoving and punching. Law enforcement had to intervene, using pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Reports indicated that one officer sustained a head injury while trying to break up the fight but was later treated and released from the hospital.
Similar scenes unfolded in other locations, including Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where a North Carolina State player attempted to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s field after a 35-30 victory. In Tallahassee, Florida, Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. caused a stir by planting a flag on Florida State’s logo following a 31-11 win.
When asked about the potential for the NCAA to ban flag planting, Mayfield firmly stated, “College football’s meant to have rivalries. It’s like the Big 12 banning the ‘Horns down’ signal.”
He concluded with a straightforward message: “Let the boys play.”
