October 18, 2005
Big 10 bans flag plantings; SEC follows suit
The Big 10 football teams will have to find another way to demonstrate their dominance at midfield now that commissioner Jim Delany has put the kibosh on flag plantings following road wins.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has issued a memo to all teams to ban flag planting after road wins....
[Ohio State football coach Jim] Tressel was glad the showy displays are being stopped.
"I think it's inappropriate," he said, "and I'd be embarrassed if one of my teams did it."
In related news, the SEC has let it be known that flag plantings are off-limits down South as well.
...SEC Associate Commissioner Brad Davis sent a stern e-mail warning member schools that flag planting is a serious violation of the league's sportsmanship policy....
"When you go to plant a flag on the visiting team's field, it's a form of taunting," said Davis, now the sworn nemesis of flag planters. "What message are you sending when you spear it into the turf of your defeated opponent?"
Well, I think you're saying that you own them.
Question: What would happen if a Big East team were to beat an SEC team? (Wait. Bad example.) I mean, what would happen if an ACC team were to beat an SEC team, then could they plant a flag?
C'mon, y'all. It's football. Let's have some fun. I know I'd be seriously P-O'd if my rival did it in our house, but just think how much fun it would be to watch it happen down there.
Comments:
posted on October 18, 2005 6:07 PM — 12.215.224.196 — link — abuse?Robert Knodell said:
I hate to see college football become more like the NFL (No Fun League), but I guess that's where we're headed.
rkevins82 said:
posted on October 18, 2005 8:09 PM — 24.26.143.116 — link — abuse?
After the Michigan State - Ohio State game last weekend the visiting fans behind me (jokingly) suggested that their players plant the flag (despite losing the game). I'm glad they didn't and nobody will in the future.
AK said:
posted on October 18, 2005 9:43 PM — 70.114.249.192 — link — abuse?
What?! I think Robert is right; College ball is headed in the direction of the No Fun League. Why would flag planting spawn a 10,000-person brawl. We've been planting flags forever, why should it start a brawl now? I think it's ridiculous. I mean, look at what they tried to do with the Seminoles mascot. I love college ball, but I'm disappointed with the head honchos. What's next? No bands at away games? After all, what’s more antagonizing than the visiting teams fight song?
posted on October 19, 2005 9:36 AM — 134.192.45.11 — link — abuse?
Frankly, I'd be pissed if a 'Bama player ever planted a flag on an opponents field, even Auburn or Tennessee.
There's nothing that says you have to be a classless bunch of thugs to have fun. If winning alone isn't enough fun, you might want to take up another sport.
Fan of the Game said:
posted on October 19, 2005 10:23 AM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
What is the importance of getting to plant your flag on your opponents field? Is winning not enough? I mean, sure there is going to be celebrating, but is planting your flag really celebrating? Or is it more of a "you've been conquered" and "we claim this land" type of symbolism? Regardless of how theatrical it may appear or how proud the victors may feel- it has nothing to do with the game. It does have alot to do with student body pride though, and I can respect one's devotion to their university. But if you really want to plant something, plant a tree, a flower, a whole friggin garden or just keep your butt planted in your seats and cheer for your team. To think the college football is going to become "no fun" because a flag can't be planted is ridiculous. Things that have nothing to do with college football, but seemingly find their way into the sport, usually end up taking away from the game. There have been more posts about flag planting than there has been about the game itself. If it is allowed, sooner or later someone is going to take offense and a riot is going to occur. Followed by innocent people getting hurt and utimately NCAA envolvement to the point of probations and restrictions. Who really needs all that?
Paul said:
posted on October 19, 2005 2:31 PM — 207.255.83.138 — link — abuse?
So let me get this straight Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel said "I think it's inappropriate,", "and I'd be embarrassed if one of my teams did it." Now explain to me one thing. How is it not inappropriate or embarrassing for his team to run out on the field at Beaver Stadium at the sametime as the Penn State team did. They even went as far as to run toward the Penn State players at this time. How is this not much worse than planting a flag after the game. I think this is just as bad if not worse. In other words Mr. Tressel has no business saying that he would be embarassed for something that his very arogant team might do. They are already embarassing. Just ask any other big ten team.
caz_newsome said:
posted on October 19, 2005 4:36 PM — 66.191.227.197 — link — abuse?
So this stems from a UGA player planting a flag in the great an wonderful UT field?(as long as you dont look behind the curtain) But where eas all this last year? I am Bulldog threw an threw but it pumped me up last year when it happen, aslo i dont remember all this talk then.
wyo_sigma1914 said:
posted on October 20, 2005 3:08 PM — 166.230.5.4 — link — abuse?
WHERE WILL IT END??? People whine and complain too much, I love college football for the pagentry fans, excitement thats why I dont wtch the NFL. WHO DEFINES CLASS??? What or who says that just cause a team is excited over beating a rival or having fun means they are classless. THESE are KIDS playing in front of THOUSANDS of people KIDS. 18-23 and they are just as emotional as the fans WHO STORM the field and tear down goal posts @ home games. IF College football becomes the NFL Looks like I'll find a new favorite sport.
SC Source said:
posted on October 23, 2005 5:05 AM — 65.188.14.230 — link — abuse?
A part of me wants to agree with the Commissioner and his ruling..but another part of me says "C'mon this is College Football" it's what seperates College Football from the NFL. Marching Bands, Wild Fans, and Planting Flags, you can't get rid of the college football tradition.
Just My 2 cents..
SC
Leon said:
posted on November 4, 2005 1:30 PM — 24.227.177.97 — link — abuse?
All I will say is that when UT beat LSU earlier this year, and the UT player waved the flag at midfield, there was a surge of thousands of students who, for a short moment, appeared as if they were going to storm the field. Obviously this wasn't logical and as incoherent as most of them were, they realized they should not attempt to bypass the several hundred national guard members that had surrounded the student section. For a moment... it looked as if it would happen, and I couldn't imagine the disaster that would have ensued if a bunch of drunk students had gone after an opposing football team/player. So I see where the new rules are coming from. Personally, I think it is a classless gesture, a slap in the face, but because it is an emotionally driven action, it is hard to contain and therefore understandable.
State Senior said:
posted on November 5, 2005 11:03 AM — 35.11.138.88 — link — abuse?
Hey, why does it suddenly seem that college students (as a whole) are whiny and immature? Rules are put in place, and students justify their complaints with, "we're college students, let us have our fun." As if being a college student suddenly exempts you from reality. Come on, guys. Grow up. Having fun is great, but there are limits. We aren't a bunch of 21 year old drunken toddlers demanding our way... are we??
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dave frey said:
posted on October 18, 2005 5:34 PM — 66.186.235.209 — link — abuse?Yeah, but that's just begging for it to escalate into something else. I have to agree (much as I hate to) with Davis: it's taunting. And sometimes when you taunt people, they react in unpleasant ways. What's going to happen when a defeated team takes exception and a brawl breaks out? Or an angry student body charges the field and a 10,000 person brawl breaks out?
I think this is the right call. Celebrating is one thing. Rubbing it in is something altogether different.