Derrick Moore from Michigan was the focus of some controversy after he had the team’s iconic ‘M’ flag and was celebrating on the Ohio State field, and it turned into chaos as Buckeyes players charged at Moore and the Wolverines to confront them, led by linebacker Jack Sawyer.
“A lot of people think I was trying to actually plant the flag,” Moore explained. “I wasn’t trying to plant the flag. I was actually trying to just run around the field with the flag, and as I ran around with the flag, I got pushed and things like that.”
While at the 2025 Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Moore shared his thoughts on the incident that made national headlines when he described what was going through his head during those intense moments they had in Columbus.
Although Moore was clear, he also defended the passion that surrounds the greatest rivalry in college football. Moore also feels that this passion is what draws highly sought-after recruits to both programs repeatedly.
“All I gotta say, man, is hey, that’s Ohio for you. That’s Ohio for you — that’s all I can say,
“But at the same time, I feel like that right there is why people come to Michigan or Ohio State, because of the rivalry and atmosphere like that,” Moore continued. “That right there is gonna be a good lead going into this year.”
Derrick Moore Reflects on Leadership During Ohio State Brawl
Moore accepted responsibility in his own manner, while taking an even-handed approach to what two teams engaged in for many years, if not all their collective memory. He recognizes that there must be leadership in those moments, as well as recognizing that it’s those moments that make this rivalry great.
“Looking back on that, I probably got like two views on it,” Moore said. “I feel like I could’ve done a better job as a leader of not letting that get out like that, pretty much just celebrating with my teammates and things like that.”
The emotions erupted quickly as both rival teams collided in a flurry of events. Moore said he was there, and there was banter, and the next thing he knew, his flag was down, leading to a huge scramble that took security to separate.
The consequences of the flag episode reached far beyond the football field. Ohio State representative Josh Williams introduced legislation that would make flag planting at Ohio Stadium a felony, showing just how much the episode resonated in the state.
For weeks after the contest, Moore’s photo with the Michigan flag became a catchy hashtag used across Ohio media and social media platforms. The branding didn’t sit well with the defensive back, who considered the reaction a little bit over the top.
“It’s actually crazy; for, like, a whole month straight, they had a picture of me with the flag on the field, and they pretty much just said, like, ‘criminal’ or something like that under the picture,” Moore recalled.
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