Fansided

Baker Mayfield apologizes for planting Oklahoma flag at Ohio State

By Patrick Schmidt

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs with the ball during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs with the ball during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Baker Mayfield apologized for planting the Oklahoma flag on Ohio State’s turf after the Sooners defeated the Buckeyes on Saturday evening.

Oklahoma had the biggest win of Week 2 when the Sooners defeated then-No. 2 Ohio State at their place on Saturday night. The game was highlighted by quarterback Baker Mayfield turning in one of his finest performances, throwing for 386 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-16 win. Oklahoma trailed 10-3 early in the third quarter after the Buckeyes took charge after a 3-3 halftime tie, but Mayfield turned that deficit into a 31-13 lead with his unabashed play that took the life out of the talented Buckeye defense.

After the game, Mayfield celebrated the big win in a big way, running around Ohio Stadium like the Sooners just won the national championship on a Hail Mary. He displayed the unbridled enthusiasm that has made him such a great player and personality off the field. During his post-game jubilation, Mayfield grabbed the Oklahoma flag and planted it on the turf inside the Horseshoe.

Two days later, Mayfield is apologizing for his behavior during the emotional game and scene afterward.

“It was an emotional game. After the game, I didn’t mean for it to be disrespectful toward any Ohio State people, especially not the team or the players. Because they’re a great team and a great program. I didn’t mean it to be disrespectful at all. We do the flag thing at OU-Texas and it was just something I got caught up with in an emotional win and yeah, it should have been something I did in the locker room, so I apologize for doing it in the middle of the field.”

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You can watch Mayfield’s entire mea culpa below, which may have been spurred on by Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, but that’s merely my speculation.

Was this apology entirely necessary? That’s up for debate. Winners talk and that’s how it’s always been in competition. Oklahoma beat Ohio State beat last year in Norman and sang their fight song after the game, which was burned into the brain of Mayfield all year. He finally had his chance to serve up a cold dish of revenge. The fan in me thinks Mayfield doesn’t owe anyone an apology, even if the postgame celebration felt a little contrived and over the top.

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