The flags were supposed to tell a story. A solemn lowering, a pause, silence washing over a stadium of 100,000-plus, then a rise back to the skies. That’s how Ohio State quietly planned to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk before its game against Ohio University. Instead, the plan unraveled amid denials, last-minute changes, and confusion for the color guard. By kickoff, the tribute dissolved into one of the most confusing pregame scenes in recent Buckeye history.

Word first slipped out through The Rooster , which reported Friday night that Ohio State had green-lit a post-anthem moment of silence where the flag in the south endzone would be lowered to half-mast, then raised again for the rest of the game. But by Saturday morning, OSU President Ted Carter was reportedly ma

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