A reporter “caught some pepper spray” in the fracas that broke out Saturday between Michigan and Ohio State following the Wolverine’s 13-10 road win over their loathed rival in Columbus.
Stephanie Otey of 97.1 The Fan took to social media in the immediate aftermath, detailing in a video shared on X that “cops came out and started pepper spraying” everywhere.
“I got nailed in the eyes,” Otey said in the clip as she held a tissue.
Warning: Explicit language
Otey’s video then panned to the chaotic scene at midfield, including the moment she appeared to get hit with the pepper spray as the camera went dark.
“I don’t know where it came from, but there was a lot of chaos,” Otey said. “First time being pepper sprayed, right in my eyes.”
In a statement shared by Ohio State University Police on X Saturday afternoon, “Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,” and that “during the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.”
“OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate,” the statement concluded.
The wild scene broke out Saturday moments after Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State’s logo after the Wolverines upset the No. 2 Buckeyes.
Michigan players were captured on the broadcast with teary eyes on the sideline.
In a follow-up video message shared later on Saturday, Otey said she was “fine” and reflected on the experience of reporting from the chaos.
“What an experience to get pepper sprayed and to be in a quarrel like that. Honestly, it’s like a reporter’s dream to be part of those kind of games,” she said.
“Nope, I’m good. It hurt at first. I was more scared that I couldn’t see, as you could hear when the video was still rolling, but I was more so concerned my vision. And then when people said, ‘Oh, it was pepper spray,’ that’s when I felt the pain of it all. But yeah, I felt better pretty quick, recovered and then we got to the postgame. … We’re all good, kind of pumped about that experience, it was thrilling and chaotic, but that’s the game for you guys.”
The mayhem in Ohio was just one of the fiery scenes that erupted across the college football landscape during Rivalry Week, with brawls breaking out over flag planting during a number of contests.
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