Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck smeared blood from linebacker Maverick Baranowski onto his own face in a postgame celebration after the Gophers' upset win over Washington on Saturday night, according to Fox News.
The win came by a score of 27-24 on the road, per Fox News. The moment was described by outlets as a wild, fired-up postgame scene.
CBS Sports noted the win came ahead of a tough stretch of Big Ten games for Minnesota. The Washington Post described the moment between Fleck and Baranowski as a unique bonding moment, without providing further detail.
Outlets across the spectrum characterized the gesture with references to war paint and the phrase 'blood, sweat and tears.'
How each side covered it
Left
- The Washington Post described the moment as a unique bond between Fleck and Baranowski.
- Coverage was limited to a single headline without additional detail.
“Blood brothers: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck and Maverick Baranowski share unique moment” — The Washington Post
Center
- CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports both described Fleck as visibly fired up during the celebration.
- CBS Sports noted the win preceded a difficult upcoming Big Ten schedule.
- Yahoo Sports compared Fleck's use of blood to war paint.
“The Gophers coach smeared his linebacker's blood onto his own face following a dramatic road upset over the Huskies, sparking a wild postgame scene before a tough Big Ten stretch” — CBS Sports
Right
- Fox News specified the final score as 27-24 and named Maverick Baranowski as the linebacker involved.
- The New York Post used the phrase 'blood, sweat and tears' to describe the scene.
- Right-leaning outlets emphasized the graphic, visual nature of the gesture.
“PJ Fleck smeared linebacker Maverick Baranowski's blood across his own cheeks after Minnesota's 27-24 road win at Washington on Saturday night.” — Fox News
Questions readers ask
What happened between P.J. Fleck and Maverick Baranowski?
Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck smeared linebacker Maverick Baranowski's blood on his own face during a postgame celebration after the Gophers beat Washington, according to Fox News and the New York Post.
What was the final score of the Minnesota-Washington game?
Minnesota won 27-24 on the road against Washington on Saturday night, according to Fox News.
What did different outlets emphasize about the moment?
Center and right-leaning outlets focused on the graphic, visceral nature of the blood-smearing scene, while the Washington Post framed it as a bonding moment between Fleck and Baranowski.
Why is this moment getting attention?
The gesture was described by multiple outlets as a wild, unusual postgame scene following an upset win, drawing comparisons to war paint and the phrase 'blood, sweat and tears.'
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningBlood brothers: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck and Maverick Baranowski share unique moment
- CBS SportsCenterWATCH: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck smears player's blood on his face after upset win over Washington
- Yahoo SportsCenterBlood Brothers: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck and Maverick Baranowski share unique moment
- Fox NewsRight-leaningMinnesota coach PJ Fleck wipes player's blood all over his face after Gophers win over Washington
- New York PostRight-leaningMinnesota coach P.J. Fleck wipes player’s blood on his face in wild postgame scene