Ohio State QB Will Howard Receives Death Threats After Oregon Loss

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard faced severe backlash, including death threats, from fans following a narrow 32-31 loss to Oregon during the 2024 regular season, as revealed by ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Howard's critical mistake involved running out the clock in the final seconds, preventing a potential game-winning field goal, which led to intense social media vitriol and forced him to avoid online platforms. Despite this, Howard redeemed himself by leading Ohio State to a decisive 41-21 victory over Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, eventually winning a national championship and later being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbstreit emphasized the harsh reality that college athletes face in the social media era, noting the difficulty of managing such extreme fan reactions including unsolicited death threats. The situation also affected others close to the team, including Ohio State coach Ryan Day and his family, who received similar threats and considered relocating. These incidents highlight the darker side of fan passion in college football and the need for athletes to insulate themselves from online abuse.