PASADENA —- The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the 111th Rose Bowl game, and while the team was celebrating on stage after the victory, star quarterback Will Howard was blocked from participating in the postgame festivities.
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Will Howard can’t get on the stage!
Let Will on the podium. pic.twitter.com/6lEGb5H7US
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) January 2, 2025
As seen in the video, Howard was told he can't go on stage, while teammates #91 Tyleik Williams and #32 TreVeyon Henderson pleaded with the worker to let him up, as they said he is the starting quarterback after all.
Even more, the senior quarterback had just got done putting on an epic Rose Bowl performance, throwing for 319 yards, while contributing three touchdowns.
Now fans have speculated as to why Howard was strangely barred from standing on stage.
Some say that it may be a result of the quarterback sharing his faith in the postgame interview, as he stated, "First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity."
Ohio State QB Will Howard is not allowed on stage after his Rose Bowl win.
Will Howard: "First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity…"
He is a Christian... pic.twitter.com/cuC2vud9xL
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) January 2, 2025
ESPN blocked Ohio State QB Will Howard from joining his teammates on stage after their epic Rose Bowl.
The woke network was afraid Howard would give glory to God and acknowledge Christ as his savior on live TV.
Should Christians boycott ESPN? pic.twitter.com/HJddrOKFLV
— Nick Adams (@NickAdamsinUSA) January 2, 2025
One user wrote on X: "I went to Penn State so not a fan of Ohio State. That said not allowing Will Howard on the stage is messed up. I don't know the reason but if it is because of his Christian beliefs, a lot of people in that organization and ESPN should be ashamed."
Another fan said via X: "Bruh if there's a 'weight limit' then the security guard should step off. he don't need to be on there."
"If someone told me this happened and I hadn't seen it, I would have thought they were lying. It's that ridiculous," someone else remarked on X.
Will Howard may get another chance to celebrate though with Ohio State's upcoming semi-final matchup vs. Texas, as the Buckeyes take on the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl (January 10 at 7:30 pm ET).
Related: Ohio State Avenges Loss To Oregon, Cruises Into CFP Semis
