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Planting a flag at Ohio State University could soon become a felony if a new law goes into effect.

New Law Makes Flag-Planting A Felony

Earlier this week, Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams introduced legislation that would classify flag planting at Ohio Stadium around Buckeyes football games as a felony. Yes, a felony.

Williams drew up The O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act in response to Michigan attempting to plant its flag after defeating Ohio State on November 30. This led to a brawl ensuing between the two teams.

Police were forced to get involved, using pepper spray to separate players and team officials. One officer was injured, and Ohio State University police are still investigating the incident.

“No person shall plant a flagpole with a flag attached to it in the center of the football field at Ohio stadium of the Ohio State University on the day of a college football competition, whether before, during, or after the competition,” reads Williams’ bill. “Whoever violates this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.”

A fifth-degree felony is the least severe felony in the state of Ohio. It carries a penalty of six to 12 months in prison, up to a $2,500 fine and up to five years’ probation.

It’s unclear what would happen if you tried to plant a flag, say, in the endzone.

Related: Top Ohio State Recruit Aaron Scott Disses Michigan During Commitment Day Stunt

Williams Sounds Off

Williams, a Republican, was disturbed by the incident with Michigan as well as other scuffles involving flag planting.

“After it happened at five separate games during Rivalry Week, and seeing that there was no immediate movement, I thought it was necessary to send a signal to our institutions of higher learning that they need to come up with policies to prevent this in the future so it doesn’t risk harm to our law enforcement officers or student-athletes or fans,” Williams told ESPN.

“[Ohio State-Michigan] is the No. 1 rivalry in all of sports, not just college sports, and to see it devolve all the way down to this level, it just disrespects not only the institution, but the college programs themselves,” he continued. “More importantly, it provided a true safety hazard.”

NCAA president Charlie Baker spoke out to say that committees and conferences have been talking about how to better deal with flag planting.

“I think the conferences are pretty serious, and so are the schools about taking a look at how they might create a more aggressive approach to dealing with that,” Baker said.

Related: Ohio State Drops Washington Series, Raises Questions About Strength Of Future Schedule

Ohio State And Michigan Fined

Though the Big Ten issued $100,000 fines to both Ohio State and Michigan in the wake of the November 30 incident, many feel that this was not nearly enough.

“That’s pennies, that’s nothing,” Williams lamented.

“We have a great rivalry. I enjoy the rivalry, win, lose or draw,” he added. “That was a tight game. It wasn’t a blowout victory. You know, Michigan should have taken its victory, and we take our loss on the chin and live to fight another day, concentrate on the next week and the next year, the next recruitment period. But instead, we have to have this conversation.”

Williams, who is a strong advocate for sportsmanship, firmly believes that a criminal penalty is needed to curtail this. Only time will tell if his law actually goes into effect.