Tensions are always high when Michigan and Ohio State face off, and linebacker Jaishawn Barham was the first player to get caught up in the drama on Saturday, Nov. 29.
After stuffing Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson Jr. and forcing what should’ve been a third-and-goal, Barham walked up to the referee and appeared to headbutt him.
There was only a small amount of contact and it’s possible that Barham was trying to demonstrate something and not blatantly headbutting the referee, but it was still a major no-no.
Barham was hit with a personal foul and gave the Buckeyes an automatic first down, which could’ve been costly, but the Michigan defense stood strong and held OSU to just a field goal after five attempts and a sixth one that drew a 5-yard penalty on a false start.
Importantly, Barham was not ejected from the game, which easily could’ve happened in a bang-bang call from the refeeree.
Do you think Barham should’ve been ejected?
Jaishawn Barham just headbutted an official but wasn’t ejected from the game.pic.twitter.com/A8Yty8WOyB
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 29, 2025
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Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Should Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham been ejected for headbutting ref?
