Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham narrowly avoids ejection against Ohio State after head-butting official originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Things are already heated in The Game between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan, folks.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLate in the first quarter, as the Buckeyes were threatening on the goal line, Wolverine linebacker Jaishawn Barham appeared to head-butt an official.
However, he was able to stay in the game.
Here's what happened on the play.
Did a Michigan player head-butt official in the Ohio State game?
It's unclear if Barham made actual contact with the official, but if the very least it looked like he came dangerously close. Take a look for yourself:
Who is Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham?
Barham is Michigan's senior linebacker, who has 31 total tackles with four sacks and a forced fumble on the season. Earlier this season, Barham missed the Wolverines' first half against Oklahoma thanks to a targeting foul he had against New Mexico State in Week 1.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMichigan and Barham tried to appeal the suspension, but the Big Ten upheld it and he missed the first half. Michigan ended up losing that game 24-13.
Emotions run high in Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
Barham nearly head-butting an official just proves that this rivalry isn't cooling down anytime soon.
Last year, after Michigan won a third-straight over Ohio State, Wolverine players tried flag-planting a UM flag at midfield. Ohio State players weren't having it, and a huge brawl broke out on the field after the game. OSU linebacker Jack Sawyer ripped the flag away and threw it, which caused the ensuing chaos:
A Michigan flag is planted in the center of The Shoe and things get even more heated between Ohio State and Michigan pic.twitter.com/fPcvJ6Z8ND
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
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Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer rips away the Michigan flag and throws it amid the insanity after the game. Cops. Pepper spray was even used. Two Michigan players were on the ground rubbing their faces. A photographer as well. Police later lined up at 50 to build a human wall. pic.twitter.com/xANs878xe7
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 30, 2024
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdditionally, when law enforcement was trying to separate the two sides, players on both teams were apparently pepper sprayed.
A lot of people got hit w the pepper spray. Both teams. https://t.co/xyA8Tyo21Q
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 30, 2024
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Thanks for the mace went nice with the dub #4-0 #GoBluepic.twitter.com/qc0EGbVfh2
— Tristan Bounds (@bounds_tristan) November 30, 2024
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Ohio State police later confirmed that officers used pepper spray when trying to separate the two sides.
Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.
— OSU Police (@OSUPOLICE) November 30, 2024
My guess is this may not be the last time we see some shenanigans in this game. But Michigan's defense is fortunate to not lose one of its leading defenders for this game.
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