Ensuring the safety of players, staff, and fans is more important than any bragging rights.
“Rivalry Week” is a must-watch tradition if you’re a die-hard college football fan. It’s the time of year when old grudges are reignited, and teams battle for more than just a win. They’re playing for a year’s worth of bragging rights. But this year, rivalry week took an ugly turn, with fights and post-game melees overshadowing on-field action.
The most talked-about clash came during the Michigan-Ohio State matchup, where tensions boiled into a full-blown altercation. Campus police resorted to using pepper spray to break up the chaos. The brawl even resulted in an OSU police officer being injured and needing medical attention—a somber reminder of how far things spiraled out of control.
In Tallahassee, the Florida Gators claimed victory at Doak Campbell Stadium. Then, Florida’s defensive end, George Gumbs Jr., planted the Gators’ flag right in the middle of Florida State’s logo. That action predictably led to a post-game brawl, as players and staff from both sides clashed.
Meanwhile, NC State continued its dominance over North Carolina with a 35-20 win in the Tobacco Road rivalry. Fireworks ensued after the final whistle when NC State players brought a flag onto the field to plant at midfield. UNC wide receiver JJ Jones intervened, snatching it away before hitting the ground, sparking another confrontation as players from both teams had to be separated by staff.
Out west, the Arizona State Sun Devils trounced the rival Arizona Wildcats 49-7, which led defensive lineman Jacon Kongaika to make a statement, driving ASU’s trident into Arizona’s midfield logo. Wildcats receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig wasn’t having any of that, ripping it out of the ground, sparking another midfield scuffle.
These incidents raise a crucial question: Is it time for the NCAA to ban flag-planting celebrations?
While we all know college football is built on tradition, passion, and pride, where do we draw the line regarding post-game displays? The specter of past incidents looms large, such as the egregious NBA’s “Malice in the Palace.” I bring this up because we may be one step away from having college football brawls spill into the stands, involving fans and/or escalating into physical harm.
So, perhaps now is the time to reconsider how we handle victory celebrations. The line between passionate celebration and outright disrespect is thin. Rivalries are unique because they’re fought on the field, and that’s where they should stay until the final whistle is blown. Ensuring the safety of players, staff, and fans is more important than any bragging rights.
It’s a conversation worth having. Otherwise, it’s reasonable to assume that the hits will keep coming … long after the clock hits zero.
