Michigan legend who saved Wolverines flag during wild fight identified as nine-year NFL veteran

A wild brawl broke out between Michigan and Ohio State players as the Wolverines planted their flag at midfield after Saturday’s stunning 13-10 rout.

The second in the rating Buckeyes took offense at an incident that happened on their field and did everything they could to stop it, leading to violence on the field.

Michigan players tried to put up their flag after beating Ohio State on SaturdayCredit: Getty

The big fight lasted about five minutes, players and coaches from both sides were left covered in blood.

Police later resorted to pepper spray to break up the situation.

Amid all the chaos, a Michigan flag was ripped down by Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer, and video shows a lone man quickly knocking it away from several angry players.

Naturally, his actions soon went viral, with many praising him as a Wolverine hero.

“Increase your brother’s salary. He protected this flag with his life,” wrote one user on X, reacting to the footage.

“I was really scared for this dude’s life,” said another.

“Much respect to my man. One against all, and just focused on his flag,” wrote a third.

“Not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed,” concluded a fourth.

The video was viewed more than a million times on social media in less than 24 hours, leading many to question who exactly saved the flag.

Well, the person was recognized – none other than a nine-year-old NFL veteran Jason Avant.

The flag-raising incident sparked a mass brawl on the fieldCredit: Getty

And he was a Michigan hero long before Saturday’s events unfolded, playing for the team at wideout from 2002-05.

During his college career, he caught 169 passes for 2,247 yards and 13 touchdowns with two second-team All-Big Ten selections.

Avant was then selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft Philadelphia Eaglesand spent eight seasons with the team.

In 2014, he signed a contract with Carolina Panthersbut was released a few weeks before the start of the season before joining the Kansas City Chiefs.

He finished his career a year later having played 148 regular season games in the NFL, scoring 13 touchdowns.

Avant is now a sideline reporter for Michigan’s football radio broadcasts and further cemented himself as a school legend with his flag-saving actions on Saturday.

Avant spent 10 seasons in the NFLCredit: Getty

The Michigan hero has been identified as a former NFL starCredit: x: @UMGoBlog

Former Eagles star Jason Evant has been named a Michigan heroCredit: x: @markmalkoskie

Avant is now a reporter in MichiganCredit: x: @JonJansen7

The brawl that broke out at Ohio Stadium after the Wolverines won their fourth straight game against the Buckeyes was one of the fiercest in recent memory.

“After the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up the altercation on the field,” Ohio State University police said in a statement.

“During the fight, several officers representing Ohio and Michigan used pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead gaming agency and will continue to investigate.”

The result cost the Buckeyes (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) a spot in the conference title game.