Ohio State quarterback Will Howard led the Buckeyes to victory over the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the dominant 41-21 win. Unfortunately, this impressive performance from the senior QB was marred by a controversial incident after the final whistle blew.
The Buckeyes took the stage for the Rose Bowl trophy ceremony after their College Football Playoff win. Howard attempted to join his teammates on the stage, but a stadium security employee kept him from doing so. Video of this incident went viral on social media, sparking controversy around the college football world
Howard addressed the incident publicly for the first time during a press conference on Sunday morning. “It was strictly a weight limit thing. I don’t know if it was a poorly executed fat joke or what this guy was trying to do – no, I’m kidding,” he said, via team insider Chase Brown. “I guess he said there was a weight limit, and there were too many people on it…. That’s all it was.
Howard addressed the incident publicly for the first time during a press conference on Sunday morning. “It was strictly a weight limit thing. I don’t know if it was a poorly executed fat joke or what this guy was trying to do – no, I’m kidding,” he said, via team insider Chase Brown. “I guess he said there was a weight limit, and there were too many people on it…. That’s all it was.
“The College Football Playoff regulates that the players of the game, team captains and head coach are the only team personnel allowed on stage,” the historic bowl game wrote.
“While Will was able to eventually get on the stage, this came down to the weight limit of the stage, and the safety of everyone involved in the postgame awards ceremony.”