Baker Mayfield, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is hoping the NCAA does not outlaw the practice of flag planting in college football. Mayfield made headlines in 2017 when he planted an Oklahoma flag at midfield of Ohio State’s stadium after a win by the Sooners. Following recent flag-planting incidents that led to altercations, Mayfield stated that rivalries and emotions are part of college football. The Big Ten Conference fined Michigan and Ohio State for a melee that occurred after Michigan players tried to plant their flag on the Ohio State logo at midfield. Similar incidents also took place at other games, sparking debates on whether the NCAA should ban flag planting. Mayfield defended the practice, stating that rivalries are a fundamental part of college football and players should be allowed to express themselves. The incidents have drawn attention to the intense emotions and traditions that come with collegiate sports. The altercations between teams have raised concerns about sportsmanship and safety, with police needing to intervene in some cases. Despite the controversies, Mayfield believes that allowing players to engage in such traditions adds to the excitement and competitive nature of college football. Fans and officials are closely monitoring the NCAA’s response to these incidents to see if any new regulations will be put in place to prevent future conflicts on the field.
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Baker Mayfield Opposes NCAA Ban on Flag Planting, Advocates for Players’ Freedom to Express Themselves
