Kyle Bonagura, ESPN Staff Writer, reported on December 16, 2024, at 07:00 AM ET. This article delves into the phenomenon of flag-planting in college football and its far-reaching consequences.Flag-Planting: A Controversial Tradition
When Michigan football players took their Block M flag to midfield after their 13-10 win against Ohio State in November, it set off a chain of events that still has the college football world talking. Inside the celebratory mass, a small group waved the flag back and forth and planted it at the 50-yard line. This was not the first time such an act had occurred; in 2022, they celebrated the same way and it was even memorialized. Coach Sherrone Moore, then the offensive coordinator, loved seeing it and thought about it every day.However, this year's flag plant sparked a five-minute brawl that led to the use of pepper spray by police, leaving players and coaches from both sides bloodied. Similar incidents occurred at other rivalries across the country. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian quickly ushered his players away after seeing what happened at Ohio State.This has sparked a heated debate among coaches and even pro athletes. Some are for it, while others are against it. One state lawmaker even introduced a bill to make the act a felony.The College Football Imperialism Map
In 2017, a Reddit user named Nathan Bingham created the College Football Imperialism Map. Every county in the country was allotted to the closest FBS program, and as games were played, the map was updated with the winner acquiring the territory. This visually satisfying map tapped into the tribalistic nature of college football.In college football, programs are often a reflection of their region, and rivalries are more prevalent. Dr. Francesco Dandekar, the associate director for sports psychiatry at Stanford University, explained that in these situations, people's identities are at stake, and they may do things they wouldn't normally do.Tempers Flare in Rivalry Games
The end of NC State vs. North Carolina devolved into chaos when Wolfpack players took offense to a Tar Heels player throwing their flag onto the ground. In the heat of the moment, it becomes harder to regulate behavior. Dr. Dandekar said that when we increase the magnitude of emotion, our prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, is less able to modulate our actions.This was evident in the Ohio State postgame, with Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer shouting, "They're not f—ing planting the flag on our field again, bro."History of Flag-Planting Celebrations
Celebratory flag planting is not new in college football. It's hard to pin down exactly how long it has been going on, but examples date back at least 20 years. After Michigan State upset Notre Dame in 2005, two players executed a memorable celebration. Later, Minnesota and Georgia also attempted it, but it was met with consequences.In 2017, Baker Mayfield made national headlines when he planted an Oklahoma flag at Ohio State midfield. He later apologized for the act. In 2019, former Ohio State star Nick Bosa exacted revenge during a "Monday Night Football" game.Sportsmanship in College Sports
For Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher, the flag-planting debate is part of a larger conversation about sportsmanship in college sports. After seeing the postgame fights and behavior on the sidelines, he wrote a letter to the NCAA president expressing his frustration.He believes that finding an effective way to discipline college athletes is not straightforward. In the NFL, teams and leagues can fine players, but at the collegiate level, it's more about participation and playing time.The Future of Flag-Planting
After the recent wave of flag planting, many coaches came out against it. Florida coach Billy Napier apologized, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called it a bad look. Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Michigan's Moore mostly shrugged it off as the by-product of an emotional game.However, the possibility of repeat performances seems unlikely. Most coaches have condemned the act. And after a NBA game where Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young mock-rolled dice on the Knicks logo, Knicks star Jalen Brunson had a different response: "We should win the game if we don't want him to do that."As college football enters the College Football Playoff era, the issue of flag-planting remains a topic of discussion. Whether it leads to meaningful change or is just lip service remains to be seen.
