Chris Fowler reacts to Desmond Howard's comments during Heisman Ceremony

One of the biggest talking points of the Heisman Trophy ceremony wasn’t anything the four finalists said, but a ribbing courtesy of a past recipient. Former Michigan star turned ESPN analyst Desmond Howard made waves in New York — playfully fanning the flames of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry when he made a joke regarding Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud’s day against the Wolverines defense.

On stage, Howard joked that Ohio State’s offensive line couldn’t protect Stroud against Michigan. It was made even more poignant by the fact that the man who led the terror, Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, stood next to Stroud.

Many thought the comments were playful and funny, but some believed them to be disrespectful in the moment. Joining The Rich Eisen Show, Howard’s colleague Chris Fowler gave his opinion on the situation.

“It was an interesting dynamic in that room,” stated Fowler. “They’re not going to face each-other in the Playoff. You obviously got Aidan and Bryce perhaps on a collision course, and then C.J. off to the Rose Bowl. They got along well.

“It was a night for Michigan folks to puff their chests out — at the expense of Ohio State. It’s been a long time coming.”

However, Fowler revealed that the Michigan-Ohio State antics didn’t stop there. Of course, Ohio State coach Ryan Day was assigned a seat right next to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Moreover, Fowler was asked if there was any visible bad blood between the coaches.

“They did place them next to each-other,” laughed Fowler. “I didn’t see them chatting it up in the commercial breaks. I did not see that.”

Perhaps ESPN knew what they were doing placing Day and Harbaugh next to each-other, or perhaps it was just a happy accident.

Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford on Desmond Howard: ‘I don’t care for him.’

While Fowler believed Howard meant no harm with his comments, not everyone’s reaction was as peachy. For one, Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford wasn’t happy after hearing Howard’s remark.

Munford, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound Ohio State tackle, did not take well to the comment from Howard — which was clearly taking a shot at the Buckeyes. On Thursday, just days after Howard’s remark, Munford responded in earnest during Ohio State’s pre-Rose Bowl press conference.

“I hope that really doesn’t happen again,” Munford said of Michigan beating Ohio State in his last appearance in the storied rivalry before the NFL Draft. “(Desmond Howard) can kick rocks, too. I don’t care for him. But at the same time, he’s doing his job. It’s not professional of course, but he needs to do his job. He needs to stick to his job, in my opinion.”

Desmond Howard has a great amount of pride in his Michigan Wolverines. Even with the pushback, Howard isn’t likely to stop singing the praises of his school — especially in the College Football Playoff.