Ohio State quarterback Will Howard celebrated his team's victory in the Rose Bowl with a kiss from his girlfriend. The celebration, however, was not without its awkward moments, as Howard was initially denied access to the trophy presentation stage.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard sealed his team's blowout win in the Rose Bowl with a kiss. After Howard, 23, and the Buckeyes dominated the Oregon Ducks 41-21 on Wednesday, January 1, the quarterback made his way over to his girlfriend, Lauren Leiker, for a smooch. Howard flipped his brand new Rose Bowl Champions hat backwards and leaned in for the kiss, which was captured by ESPN social media.
The move was complimented by Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who wrote via her Instagram Story: “Have always said it…Backwards hat=easy access 👏👏👏” While Howard mostly keeps his personal life close, he posted a picture with Leiker via Instagram in April 2023. At the time of the post, Howard was still the quarterback at Kansas State. Howard transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, where he has helped lead the Buckeyes to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Ohio State will play Texas in the 2025 Cotton Bowl on Friday, January 10 with a trip to the National Championship Game on the line. Outside of the kiss with his girlfriend, the post-game celebration came with a side of awkwardness for Howard. Despite being the team’s starting quarterback, Rose Bowl officials denied Howard entrance to the stage for the trophy presentation. In a clip that circulated on social media, Howard could be seen asking an official for permission to join his teammates for the postgame gathering. “That’s the starting quarterback!” Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams pleaded. Howard seemingly had a good sense of humor about the entire ordeal, laughing as he told people nearby, “They’re blocking me!” “Guys, there’s a weight limit apparently,” Howard said. He added, “They’re literally blocking me out.” Howard eventually was able to make his way to the stage, where he tossed out celebratory roses to commemorate the big wi
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