Paul Finebaum weighs in on legislating flag-planting after Michigan-Ohio State fiasco

After news surfaced that a state legislator is attempting to introduce an act that would make flag planting at midfield a felony in the state of Ohio, reactions were mixed from ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum.

The noted broadcaster isn’t a fan of the flag-planting antics, but he wondered if legislative measures were really necessary.

“I’m usually not wild about state legislators trying to get publicity, but in this case he’s got the right idea,” Finebaum said on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday. “This needs to end. But ultimately it’s really up to Ryan Day.”

How?

Well, it’s simple, really. Finebaum wants coaches to show a greater degree of responsibility in maintaining order after games.

“You don’t need a state law, you don’t need the Supreme Court to rule on this,” Finebaum said. “You simply need head coaches doing their jobs and telling plays, ‘Don’t do it, or you won’t be on the team’ and I think that would solve it.”

This comes after Ohio State and Michigan fought following their most recent game when Wolverines players went to plant a flag at midfield and several Ohio State players looked to stop them. Eventually, police officers used pepper spray and the Big Ten fined each side $100,000 for the incident.

On Wednesday, Ohio representative Josh Williams introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act, with the intent to curb flag-planting.

Not done yet with his advice for Ohio State, Finebaum closed his SportsCenter segment with the following shot.

“I would also tell my team the next time Michigan comes to town try winning the game,” Finebaum said.