The University of Montana football team remained undefeated Saturday, perhaps thanks to a little moral support from UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who was in attendance.
O’Malley, who appeared at the tailgate outside Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont., made his way into the arena for a pre-game flag-raising ceremony ahead of the Grizzlies game vs. the Ferris State Bulldogs.
Absolute mob scene as Sean O’Malley raises the legacy No. 37 flag at tonight’s Montana Grizzly football game. I swear that’s him with the purple hair. pic.twitter.com/YRICzdQOqf
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) September 17, 2023
Sean O’Malley prepares to raise the legacy 37 flag at tonight’s Montana Grizzly football game. My interests! pic.twitter.com/PKtIZaXHaX
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) September 16, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion, Helena’s Sean O’Malley, raises the 37 flag before Montana plays Ferris State. Nice hype video and a good crowd pop for the champ pic.twitter.com/x3obAVlUfF
— Andrew Houghton (@AndrewH202) September 17, 2023
After the Grizzlies’ 17-10 win over the Bulldogs, O’Malley made his way down to the field where he was greeted by the entire University of Montana football team. The team swarmed O’Malley as they sang the team’s fight song.
FINAL: Montana tops Ferris State 17-10.
And how about this celebration? The entire Griz football team does the fight song with Sean O’Malley afterwards. What a scene in Missoula…#GrizFB @SugaSeanMMA pic.twitter.com/YAAcC7GC78
— Kyle Hansen (@khansen406) September 17, 2023
O’Malley, 28, was born in Helena, Mont., and while he now lives and trains in Arizona, still proudly represents his birth state. O’Malley has emerged as one of the UFC’s top stars after years of build-up eventually materialized with a championship win by TKO over Aljamain Sterling in August.
Video: Sean O’Malley celebrated at University of Montana football game; team goes berserk after win