Minnesota coach PJ Fleck wipes player’s blood all over his face after Gophers win over Washington
Minnesota defeated Washington 27–24 in an entertaining road game, holding on after building a 21–10 half-time lead. After the final whistle, coach PJ Fleck celebrated by wiping blood from linebacker Maverick Baranowski’s injured lip across his own face, drawing astonished reactions.
Minnesota scored only two field goals after the interval but preserved its lead as Washington mounted a fourth-quarter comeback. Baranowski, the Gophers’ leading tackler, sustained the cut during the game; Minnesota now prepares to host Michigan, who recently lost to Iowa.
- Minnesota beat Washington 27–24 away from home.
- PJ Fleck smeared a player’s blood across his face.
- The Gophers next face Michigan.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could view the gesture as an exuberant expression of solidarity after an intense, hard-fought victory. By sharing in his player’s injury, Fleck may have been signalling team unity, trust and respect for Baranowski’s effort rather than concern for appearances.
The case against
Critics could regard wiping another person’s blood on his face as unsanitary, inappropriate and needlessly theatrical, particularly for a coach in a position of authority. Even if intended affectionately, the gesture may send a poor message about hygiene, professional boundaries and how injuries should be treated.