Ohio State top 10 athletes [Archive]

longtimefirsttime

07-19-2007, 02:27 AM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0707/campus.ohiostate.top10/content.1.html

There is quite a discussion on other sites and I agree that Owens should be #1. Oden should NOT be on this list when you have people like Havlicek, Frank Howard, Cris Carter, Mal Whitfield, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, Rex Kern, Orlando Pace, Jimmy Jackson, Clark Kellogg, Paul Warfield,Tom Cousineau, Randy Gradishar, Jack Tatum, Spielman, Jim Stillwagon, Keith Byars and Butch Reynolds left off.

SuperBran

07-19-2007, 09:11 AM

i agree. oden definitely shouldn't be on there. i'd definitely put jackson on the list before i'd put oden on the list. personally, i think lucas and the golden bear are too low.

MTown

07-19-2007, 11:11 AM

Jesse Owens #1.

You GOTTA put Jack #2!

monte81

07-20-2007, 09:47 AM

If Troy Smith and Odem make the list then Jimmy Jackson and Cris Carter definitely should of made it! Also Archie Grifin over Jesse Owens?--WOW that took guts!!

MTown

07-20-2007, 10:16 AM

Archie over Jessie didn't take guts...it was dumb.

Jessie Owens changed world thinking with his performance in the Olympics. I LOVE Archie...but winning two Heismans didn't have quite the same impact.

Monte, I'd split your list. Troy Smith and Jimmy Jackson on.....Oden and Chris Carter off.

The one guy who should get more attention on the list is Chic Harley. There are a lot of people who don't know his significance and IMO he goes underappreciated by many Ohio State fans.

obie 66

08-03-2007, 11:07 PM

I agree with Jesse Owens as number one. Oden was a one year wonder. Chris Speilman belongs!

warren1st

08-04-2007, 11:27 AM

If Paul Warfield is not on it, it's a joke!

blackswarm3

08-04-2007, 04:33 PM

How is the Golden Bear so low? WOW! He should be a top 2. He is the greatest golfer ever (Tiger will eventually pass him). For now he was the best.

MTown

08-06-2007, 10:06 AM

If Paul Warfield is not on it, it's a joke!

IMO, Warfield became a great athlete because of his pro-football days. Three yards and a cloud of dust didn't show what type of receiver he was going to become.

I would go so far to say that he isn't even in the top 10 football players at Ohio State.

TigerVic

08-06-2007, 11:55 AM

Katie Smith could probably beat Jack Nicklaus in basketball while in college, but that's about it.

I agree about Chic Harley. These polls are the usual "what have you done for me lately" (Harley hasn't done much, being dead). I wonder if Oden, Troy Smith, Katie Smith, and Blaine Wilson would be on a similar list 25 years from now (giving at least 5 spots for the great athletes of 2022-2032 of course).

warren1st

08-07-2007, 10:55 PM

IMO, Warfield became a great athlete because of his pro-football days. Three yards and a cloud of dust didn't show what type of receiver he was going to become.

I would go so far to say that he isn't even in the top 10 football players at Ohio State.
Disagree. Back in Paul's time, players went both ways. He was a GREAT DB. In a game against Wisconsin, Pat Richter, their great All-American end, caught ZERO passes against Warfield. It was the only game in Richter's great 3 year career that he was shut out. Woody, imo, didn't play him at the right position as a halfback; he should have been a wide receiver although WWH did say Paul Warfield was the most GRACEFUL athlete he'd ever seen. In fact, Paul probably would have made the NFL HOF as a DB.

If my memory serves me correctly, Paul wasn't allowed to run track although he came in second in the Pan Am Games in the long jump.

Keep in mind Paul still holds the Ohio high school record for the 180 yard low hurdle by doing 18.9 seconds breaking Jesse Owens' record. He also won the State broad jump championship as a 15 year old sophomore.

warren1st

08-07-2007, 10:58 PM

I agree about Chic Harley. These polls are the usual "what have you done for me lately" (Harley hasn't done much, being dead).

I agree. Chic Harley along with Red Grange, were the greatest of their times.

MTown

08-08-2007, 11:53 AM

W1....I am not trying to discredit Warfield as a Buckeye. In fact, I LOVE the fact that he wore the S&G. I just think when you talk about the BEST football players at Ohio State, you start with Chic Harley, then the 6 Heisman winners, and then you get to guys like Tatum, Hicks, Pace, Shafrath, Gradishar, Speilman....before you get to Warfield. It certainly is not meant to denegrade him, he's a Hall of Famer for God's sake. I just think that in the history of OSU football, he's got a ton of competition.

warren1st

08-08-2007, 02:10 PM

I just think that in the history of OSU football, he's got a ton of competition.

You're right only because WWHayes didn't utilize his talents properly. How does a guy go from making ONE All American team (Kodak) his senior year to First Team All-Pro in the NFL his next season??

He was, is and will be WGH's greatest athlete.

MTown

08-09-2007, 09:52 AM

I agree about Woody not always using his talent properly...although it's hard to argue with his 3 (5) national championships. Just imagine how good Jack Tatum could have been on the offensive side of the ball!

Again, I am not trying to downplay Warfield's talents. I am a huge fan of the '64 Browns and still cannot believe they traded him away (even though I wasn't even born yet)...but IMO, not a top ten Buckeye.

warren1st

08-09-2007, 06:40 PM

I'm sorry but Oden and Smith...............I know I'm biased but .................I still say he belongs. Jmo.

MTown

08-10-2007, 09:45 AM

I do not believe Oden belongs on the list, but I do believe Troy Smith does. 3-0 vs Michigan and a Heisman...I don't know what else an Ohio State player can accomplish.

Can I get your top 10 list, W1? I'm curious to see how it would shake out.

warren1st

08-10-2007, 10:07 PM

Just off the top of my head and I admit I either watched, knew or heard from my dad many of these players.

In no particular order:

Chic Harley
Wes Fesler
Jesse Owens
Vic Janowicz
Hopalong Cassady
John Havlichek
Jerry Lucas
Paul Warfield
Dick Schafrath
Jim Houston
Jim Parker
Korey Stringer
Chris Speilman - whom I consider the greatest defensive college player I have ever seen
Orlando Pace

Then I pare down from there.

I got to know Hop - had breakfast with him and took him from Warren to Hopkins Airport
I met Houston a couple of times and got to introduce him here in Warren-neat guy
Schafrath was the BEST speaker we ever had at the Warren Sports HOF
Lucas was my college basketball hero and I got to meet him
I had a great photo of Janowicz and me with his Heisman which I can't find:doh:
Warfield and I remain good friends to this day.

Yes, I know it's more than 10 but........Rex Kern probably belongs too.
My dad went to OSU with Harley
My first boss was Wes Fesler's first cousin
and on and on and on................

TigerVic

08-11-2007, 12:56 AM

Now there's some living history, Warren1st! I'd love to have seen Harley play at old Ohio Field

Also don't forget Pete Stinchcomb! Also John Hicks! Also Randy Gradishar! Also Les Horvath! Maybe even John Borton?

While Warfield was misused by Woody, so was Joe Sparma.

warren1st

08-11-2007, 08:59 AM

Pete Stinchcomb!! My dad was a fraternity brother of his and I was going to name him but thought no one would remember the guy!

austinsm11

08-11-2007, 09:03 AM

With all those great OSU stories, how is it you became a Michigan fan?

TigerVic

08-11-2007, 11:39 AM

With all those great OSU stories, how is it you became a Michigan fan?

Yeah- This sounds like the Darth Vader story!

What did bring you over to the "Dark Side"?

warren1st

08-11-2007, 03:02 PM

Aah! Ha! My dad went to BOTH schools. He was at OSU his freshmen year. WW1 broke out and he met three UM engineering students while in the the Army SATC who talked him into going to Michigan. He spent his last three years there and graduated with a BS degree in civil engineering.

My dad always favored UM but loved both schools. He would root for whomever had the best chance for a B10 championship, etc.

I think most kids root for the school their dads attended. I saw several Ohio State games but fell in love with the UM helmet and maize and blue colors the first time I saw them.

However, anymore, the school's liberalism bridles my enthusiasm a little. But then Ohio State or any college is no longer a bastion of conservatism!:smile:

Hey, my great uncle was dean of the OSU dental school, another uncle went there and my older son graduated from Ohio State and still lives in the Columbus area.

austinsm11

08-11-2007, 03:54 PM

Very interesting. One thing is for sure, you sure have an interesting history with both schools and your family. Too bad you chose the wrong one. Ha ha.
I have a feeling your family reunions have some great stories told.

TigerVic

08-11-2007, 04:07 PM

However, anymore, the school's liberalism bridles my enthusiasm a little. But then Ohio State or any college is no longer a bastion of conservatism!:smile: .

Believe you me, OSU is Liberalism Central anymore- just pick up the Lantern (school newspaper) most any day (I'm so disappointed everytime I pick it up- rampant "do whatever you want", all in the name of free speech) or see the events offered on campus.

That is quite an interesting (and perhaps unique) story of your solid ties to both schools! However, I imagine alot of guys switched schools after coming back. I know alot of players came back to play in their mid to late 20s in the late 40s!

longtimefirsttime

08-18-2007, 12:44 PM

Needless to say, I'm more than a little disappointed with big-time college football in general and UM in particular.

Come into the light. All are welcome!

http://www.fathead.com/Images/products/buckeyes-logo/small.jpg

MTown

08-18-2007, 01:04 PM

W1.....one of the people you worked for, Bo, went from OSU to Michigan. You can make the same transition back to the Scarlet and Grey. You know the history better than 95% of Buckeye fans. It's only a natural fit for you...especially considering how awesome OSU would have been if you were sending all those kids to Columbus instead of Ann Arbor!

I bet ya Jim Tressel would have let you watch practice if you could have helped us get Mario Manningham! LOL

MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp

08-18-2007, 03:44 PM

MTown,

MCM is fine where he is at!

warren1st

08-21-2007, 03:51 PM

longtimefirsttime

08-21-2007, 04:10 PM

What's wrong with Buckeyes fans?

warren1st

08-21-2007, 04:16 PM

What's wrong with Buckeyes fans?

It's just your buddy from FL. I was simply trying to show a positive article about a former Massillon player. I'm sorry if I only read UM sites and news so in the future I will try to refrain from upsetting OSU fans even if it's a complimentary article about a Massillon guy. I thought this was MassillonPROUD.com!?!? Possibly I'm mistaken.

MTown

08-21-2007, 05:26 PM

There wasn't anything that anyone said that was negative toward Crable....just the Michigan program. I was hoping to read a nice article about his senior year and being a captain....what I got was a little mention and then a full report on the team.

I think everyone pretty much has the same stance on this that I do....I really want to see Crable do well, and it would be awesome to see him go in the 1st round of the draft. But when it comes to the OSU/Michigan rivalry he is against us, and we all want him to lose. It's not a personal thing, but every player from Ohio that has gone to Michigan has to deal with the traitor tag. Most Michigan High School football fans don't have to deal with this because their D1 talent pool is not that deep and Michigan typically recruits nationally. The fan base doesn't have to watch in-state players leave and go to their rival. That's tough. I was very disappointed to see Crable choose Michigan. I wanted very much to cheer for him at Ohio State. But he decided the best place for him was at Michigan...and that's great, he earned it. He has yet to play for a Michigan team that has beaten us and I couldn't be happier about it.

I respect your knowledge of the history of Ohio State football, and that's why I am a little baffled that you are surprised at the reaction of Buckeye fans to anything that is related to Michigan.

Keno knows! LOL

longtimefirsttime

08-21-2007, 05:29 PM

To sum it up...

We like Crable and want him to do well.

We HATE Michigan.

He's like the good kid who for some reason joined Darth Vader's army.

warren1st

08-21-2007, 06:02 PM

I respect your knowledge of the history of Ohio State football, and that's why I am a little baffled that you are surprised at the reaction of Buckeye fans to anything that is related to Michigan.

I've been around a long time and have watched this rivalry for over 50 years.

There use to be a sense of good sportsmanship in the rivalry. As an example, in the 1955 game weekend, the Ohio State band serenaded the president of the University of Michigan on his front lawn. He had been provost at OSU prior to his Michigan position. Today, sadly, things like that would never happen.

People throw around the word "hate" which I think is too bad. It's just the way of the world today.

Michigan does have real rivalries also with ND and MSU which helps putting the Ohio State game in its proper perspective. It might be a good thing for OSU to come up with another actual rivalry; possibly WVU?

MTown

08-21-2007, 06:13 PM

Good sportsmanship like Desmond Howard showing up our players with the Heisman pose? Good sportsmanship like Dennis Franklin saying only good high school players from Ohio go to Michigan?

I don't want to justify bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior...but the issues are not just on Ohio State's side. Most of my jaded point of view comes with growing up during the Cooper era. The Michigan fans I knew were absolutely obnoxious to me and they carried an elistist attitude which personally drives me nuts. Worst of all, none of them had gone to school at Michigan, none of them had ever been to the campus, and none of them had ever been to a game. I am a hometown guy and root for the hometown teams. I have the same disdain for Pittsburgh Steeler fans from NEO. Basically, folks like Keno! LOL Had to throw them in.

What I have personally noticed, is now that Ohio State is no longer their whipping boy, a faction of Michigan fans likes to call foul play when it comes to banter, complete ignoring the abuse they dished out when they were on top.

CarlE

08-21-2007, 06:38 PM

Michigan does have real rivalries also with ND and MSU which helps putting the Ohio State game in its proper perspective. It might be a good thing for OSU to come up with another actual rivalry; possibly WVU?

Well, your credibility just went right down the proverbial toilet. If you are for one second comparing the intensity of the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry to those other two wanna-bes your sports knowledge is WAY below even what I thought it was.

On the other hand, I know you to be a very intelligent guy so I can only surmise that the post was made with the same disdain and sarcasm as Michigan people are apt to do these days now that we are kicking their asses all over the Midwest, just like MTown said in his post above. But thanks for playing.

warren1st

08-21-2007, 10:24 PM

If you don't think a backyard rivalry is huge (UM vs. MSU) then you don't even appreciate the Massillon-McKinley rivalry. And if you don't think UM-ND is big, I would suggest in your travels that you ask some of their respective fans.

warren1st

08-21-2007, 10:28 PM

Good sportsmanship like Desmond Howard showing up our players with the Heisman pose? Good sportsmanship like Dennis Franklin saying only good high school players from Ohio go to Michigan?

I didn't like what Desmond Howard did either. However, I think he KNEW at that point he'd just won the Heisman and wasn't doing it to show up OSU players.

Dennis Franklin was right. Do you think Michigan or any other good program want mediocre Ohio football players?

longtimefirsttime

08-22-2007, 08:30 AM

CarlE

08-22-2007, 09:06 AM

When I see the lists of great college football rivalries, Ohio-State Michigan is always listed at or near the top. I've never seen Michigan-ND or Michigan-Michigan State listed. Decent matchups for sure but not on the same level as the games with Ohio State.

Nor will you. He's grasping at straws because he got called out for a condescending remark comparing ND/Michigan to OSU/Michigan. Don't fan the flame. You won.

MTown

08-22-2007, 09:50 AM

I'll give you ND/UM as a good college football rivalry...but it pales to OSU/UM which is the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

It is the singular focus of Ohio State's season...which is why IMO is means more to Buckeye fans to win the game than it does Michigan.

warren1st

08-22-2007, 10:50 AM

Nor will you. He's grasping at straws because he got called out for a condescending remark comparing ND/Michigan to OSU/Michigan. Don't fan the flame. You won.
You show me where I compared ND-UM to UM-OSU!! You can't. All I said was that UM had other true rivalries. And, if you don't think UM-MSU is not a huge rivalry then you don't know much about B10 football.

As Rush says, "What is, is." You know you can't deny it.

MTown - I would put the MSU game bigger than UM-ND for Michigan.

NO! I don't think either is bigger than the OSU-UM game. It is simply my belief that Ohio State needs another true rival. You don't agree. That's fine with me.