Ohio State Representative Josh Williams has faced heavy criticism for his proposed bill that would make planting a flag at Ohio State’s stadium a felony. Now, ESPN anchor Elle Duncan has joined the chorus, calling out the legislation during her “SportsCenter” segment, Taking the Elle, on Thursday.
Labeling the bill “the softest thing I’ve seen today,” Duncan didn’t hold back in criticizing the proposed O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act. Williams introduced the legislation following the heated aftermath of the Ohio State-Michigan game last month, during which Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield in Ohio Stadium, sparking an on-field brawl.
Duncan’s Scathing Commentary
Duncan mocked the proposal, pointing out its impracticality.
“This is unnecessary because you can’t actually plant a flag at Ohio Stadium, because, you know, it’s turf,” she quipped. “Secondly, this is asinine. You want to police sportsmanship as if that’s the job of a lawmaker? You know whose job it actually is? The coach’s.”
Duncan highlighted how Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian recently demonstrated leadership by preventing his players from planting their flag after a victory against Texas A&M. She argued that this type of discipline should fall under a coach’s responsibilities, not a legislative mandate.
She also took issue with the bill’s premise that flag planting is somehow more dangerous than other college sports traditions, such as fans rushing the field or tearing down goalposts.
“These young men are gladiators risking great injury every time they step on the field,” Duncan said. “We sit back and cheer them on, but now we need the law to teach emotional control in victory and defeat? It’s stupid, I’m sorry, it really is. The real crime? Losing to your rival at home as a 24-point favorite.”
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Josh Williams Responds to Criticism
Despite the backlash from fans and Duncan’s pointed remarks, Rep. Williams has remained steadfast in his defense of the bill. In a TikTok video posted earlier this week, Williams dismissed the criticism, even when confronted directly.
“I don’t care,” he said in response to someone telling him the internet thinks his proposal makes him look soft.
The video also featured Rep. Tim Barhorst, who supported Williams, saying the bill was an attempt to “make sportsmanship cool again.” Williams doubled down, arguing that the legislation was aimed at maintaining the integrity of institutions and protecting law enforcement officers who might get caught in post-game altercations.
“If I have to be called soft to preserve the integrity of our institutions and prevent our law enforcement officers from getting injured from a violent encounter on the field because of a damn flag, I don’t mind being called soft,” Williams said.
Buckeye Blues and Coaching Criticism
Interestingly, the TikTok video also captured Williams discussing the state of the Ohio State football program, agreeing with the videographer that Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day should “go.” This added yet another layer of controversy to the lawmaker’s already polarizing stance on the legislation.
Public Reaction and the Bigger Picture
The proposed O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act has been widely mocked across social media, with many seeing it as an overreach and a waste of legislative resources. Duncan’s pointed critique has further amplified the conversation, sparking debates about where the line should be drawn between lawmaking and sports culture.
While the future of the bill remains uncertain, one thing is clear: it has brought the often-unchecked passions of college sports rivalries to the forefront of political and public discourse. For now, the debate rages on—both on and off the field.
