Ohio State's Top 10 Athletes
10. Troy Smith 9. Jack Nicklaus 8. Greg Oden 7. Eddie George 6. Katie Smith 5. Jerry Lucas 4. Blaine Wilson 3. Howard Cassady 2. Jesse Owens 1. Archie Griffin We know you're going to take issue with our list, so let us know who we left out, who we ranked too high (or low) and anything else we got wrong. Comments:How could you put Oden in front of the Golden Bear?
how do you put anyone ahead of Jesse Owens?!
How is Eddie George on this list and not Cris Carter? George won the Heisman, but Cris Carter is one of the top 5 receivers of all time.
John Havlicek - Drafted by Celtics and Cleveland Browns (wide receiver);8 NBA Championships in 16 Seasons; Top 50 NBA players of all time.
Mal Whitfield, track star; 1948 Olyimpics - 800m Gold Medal, 4x400m - Gold Medal, 400m - Bronze Medal; 1952 Olympics, 800m - Gold Medal, 4x400m - Silver Medal; First African American athlete to be awarded the Sullivan award as outstanding amateur athlete. Frank Howard, baseball, 6'8" - 275lbs.; nickname was "Hondo" - and that is really where Havlicek got the nickname not in refernce to John Wayne; All-american in basketball and baseball at Ohio State in 1950's; 16 season professional baseball career with LA Dodgers, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers; 382 career home runs; National League Rookie of the Year in 1960; Led American League in home runs and total bases twice each. Jack Nicklaus at 9 and Jesse Owens at 2? Whoever wrote this list is nuts (and I don't mean a buckeye). Every list of great Ohio State atheletes must start Jesse Owens number 1, Jack Nicklaus number 2, and Archie Griffin number 3. Greg Oden was not in Columbus long enough to merit his inclusion on the list, and should be replaced by Orlando Pace (the best o-lineman in NCAA history). I also believe that John Havlicek, Mal Whitfield, Chris Carter, Frank Howard, Chris Spielman and Butch Reynolds deserve strong consideration.
Every list of great Ohio State athletes must begin: 1. Jesse Owens; 2. Jack Nicklaus, and 3. Archie Griffin. Jesse Owens' athletic accomplishments and cultural impact are surpassed by Jackie Robinson only, and are likely never to be matched again. Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all time (Tiger can only claim to be the greatest if he passes Jack's record, and until then the Golden Bear holds the title).
Greg Oden needs to be removed from the list. It was great to see him for a year, however he wasn't in Columbus long enough to be considered for this list. Other Buckeye greats that need to be considered are Orlando Pace, John Havlicek, Chris Carter, Jimmy Jackson, Butch Reyonlds, Mal Whitfield, Tom Weiskopf, Kevin Randleman, Mark "the hammer" Coleman, Meg Mallon and Kelly McCormick. I agree, oden shouldnt be in front of the golden bear or in front of troy smith. Eddie George also carried the offense for years in tenn. until mcnair came out. Carter was great though.
Oden has no place on this list...Put a Buckeye on there that played more than a couple of months like Pace or Carter.
Jesse Owens has several athletic facilities named for him on OSU's campus, and Jack Nicklaus has an entire museum there. So I agree with detroitbuckeye's 1-2-3. Greg Oden??? There are still 3 other Heisman trophy winners you could have chosen instead of him, let alone Spielman, Carter, Pace, etc. Hell, Vic Janowicz won the Heisman as a 3-way player.
What about Mike Doss? 3 time all-american, has a High School National Championship,a NCAA Championship, and a Super Bowl ring. Led the ferocious defense that won the national championship against Miami.
First of all I would have Archie Griffin first, congrats on that decision, but least we not forget Maurice Clarrett. His off the field antics does not disqualify him from being one of the most influential players in the 2002 season championship game. Although the bucks did have a decent QB then, Craig, the running game made the difference in them winning that year.
I agree Oden doesn't merit inclusion in the top 10 and not including Havlicek is a serious crime! I would put Art Schlichter before one or two of these athlete's and that is even a reach!
Oden is great but not worthy of being an all-time great.
Owens needs to be at #1, "The Golden Bear" at #2, Archie at #3.Chic Harley at #4 (1st true superstar in scarlet and grey), "Hopalong" Cassady at #5, Jerry Lucas at #6,Katie Smith at #7, Blaine Wilson at #8, Bill Willis at #9, and a five way tie for #10, Jessica Davenport, Orlando Pace,John Havlicek,Eddie George, and Troy Smith. Troy would have been the GBOAT (Greatest Buckeye Of All Time) if he would have won the National Championship. Honorable mention: Les Horvath, Frank Howard, Keith Byars, Butch Reynolds, Chris Carter, Tom Cousineau, Randy Gradishar, Marcus Mereck, Chris Speilman, Jack Tatum, Jim Jackson, Jay Burson, Pete Johnson, Vic Janowicz, Jim Parker,Jim Stillwagon,, Paul Warfield, Bob Ferguson, "Tippy" Dye,and William Smith. There are so many that I didn't even mention. With the exception of the top five, anyone mentioned above can be rotated through the bottom five of the list. Not to many schools can compete with the caliber of athletes that OSU puts out in all sports of the span of 100 plus years. Very Impressive!! Havlicek, Jim Jackson, Rex Kern should tie for #10 - All Heisman winners, Archie a solid #1 he is Ohio State. Jim Cleamons. Terry Glen? Chris Carter is a dog.
You can really only do this if you have two lists...the Top 10 Buckeye Football players and then the Top 10 Buckeyes for Everyother Sport
How do you leave off Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Chick Harley? Les and Vic both won heisman trophies, and Chic Harley basically established Ohio State as a contender in football, he was a 3 time all-american, played numerous positions, and Ohio State basically built a stadium because of him and the popularity that was sparked for Buckeye football as a result of his success. "The House That Harley Built" anyone? and ya Greg is great but its a bit early to put him on this list, especially ahead of the greatest golfer of all time basically KEITH BYARS ANYONE?
Sorry no Greg Oden. As much as I like him, 1 season is not enough. Orlando Pace or Jim Parker, 2 of the greatest OL ever. Chic Harley need to be somewhere as well
I agree with detroitbuckeye... Jesse Owens is no.1 and Jack Nicklaus is No.2. And there's everyone else...
No John Havlicek? Aboslutely insane. I would also put Chris Spielman on the list over Greg Oden.
1. Jesse Owens
i guess the first question is: 'does one's accomplishments after OSU count towards his status?'
If so, then one must put Michael Redd on this list. He is a Columbus native, and has been an NBA all-star. He also signed a contract worth over $90 million. Who do you take off the list, you ask? Well, I would take Oden off; put Redd at 10. Orlando Pace also deserves consideration. My top ten (with post osu achievments + osu achievments) would be:
1) Archie Griffin 2) Jack Nickclaus 3) Jesse Owens 4) Cassidy 5) Jerry Lucas 6) Eddie George 7) Chris Carter 8) Michael Redd 9) Orlando Pace 10) Troy Smith Archie Griffin over Jesse Owens (1) and Jack Nicklaus (2)? The only sane person that would rank it differently is Griffin's mother. Also, Havlicek and Butch Reynolds way before Oden or George - Eddie George played on maybe the most skilled offense ever at OSU (Bobby Hoying, Orlando Pace, Terry Glenn, Ricky Dudley) they should have been National Champs - and you couldn't key on George - and got Cooper fired!!
Let's face it the greatest Buckeye of all time is Jesse Owens. Hands-down, bar-none, no argument. After that; let's face it, no one is going to come up with a proper list. The Ohio State University is one of the greatest, richest, and most storied sporting schools of all time. Any list is not going to include a person that in another Buckeyes mind personified what's great and beautiful about the the school they love. I say everyone have fun just throw up your favorite ten. I don't find fault with anyone of them. They all in their own way brought a little something back to the capital city in the greatest state in the world.
-A proud buckeye Agree that Oden, while great has no place on the list. If the NBA hadn't changed the rule, the year Greg was at tOSU would have been spent in the NBA,
C'mon guys, you cant put gymnasts and womens basketball players on this list, be reasonable. Oden over Troy Smith? Orlando Pace has to be there and Byars, maybe Michael Redd, Carter, Spielman?
Craig Krenzel= GOD
Jessie Owens not #1....NUTS
1. Jack
2. Jesse 3. Archie 4. Jerry 5. Eddie 6. Cassidy 7. Speilman 8. JJ 9. Byers 10. T. Smith ODEN is on the list?? and ahead of Troy Smith??? Im surprised they didnt put Gordon Gee on the list
-Chris L I sure agree that Jesse Owens and Jack Nicklaus should be 1 - 2 and that Greg Oden need not be on the list. Being a Buckeye for 70 years, I have seen many come an go...and Mr. Oden not "went", but cost The OSU a scholarship by not finishing the semester. Too bad, he may have been one of the all time greats while getting experienced at T OSU. The 60's had at least 10 All Americans that eclispsed any thing Oden did or did not do. George over Carter, easy choice. Havlicek not on the list is poor choice...he carried the team and Jerry Lucas. Jim Parker was unbelievable and played nearly every down for 4 years.
As a life-long "Buckeye," born and raised in Columbus I think you got many correct. Putting Greg Oden in the top ten is rediculous. The glaring omission is John Havlicek. Since OSU has had so many great athletes, the only way to pick between them is honors and/or championships. Use that as a criteria and re-do your list.
If you look at who had the biggest impact on OSU sports, your list makes more sense. Since football rules, Archie played in multiple Rose Bowls and won two Heismans. Jack Nicklaus, as great as he became did little for OSU as did Jesse Owens. Jerry Lucas deserves to be higher and you need to lose Oden from the list. John Havlicek needs to be on the list replacing him
Andy Katzenmoyer needs to be on here somewhere!
Where the heck is Andy Katzenmoyer baby? He needs to be on here somewhere!
You can't leave out NFL Hall-of-Famer Paul Warfield. After all, Smith and Oden haven't made an impact in the pros yet.
John Havlicek has got to be on the list, and not in a tie at #10! he was an awesome athlete-he could have played Pro football (The Browns were interested in him as a receiver coming out of OSU. He could run, run, run all day and play defense as well as most on the Celtics. Also, Paul Warfield needs to be considered.
Griffin has two Heismans, but he never wone either one with Hitler looking on. Jesse Owens is one of the greatest athletes of all-time... from any school.
whoever wrote this list needs to be fired or atleast demoted to driver for execs/mailboy/coffee, no cream, with sugar. terrible, really.
JOHN HICKS! The man was a tackle and came in 2nd in Heisman Voting, back when it was for the best football player, not the best PR campaign. Won the Outland and Lombardi, led tOSU to a 28-3-1 record in 3 years, and deserves some recognition.
Get Oden out of there, move Jack up, and include Hicks, Pace, etc. I just told my dad the list and he about dropped over dead from hearing Jim Parker wasn't on it. Jesse Owens is rolling over in his grave because he wasn't voted #1....and Woody would be punching the SI staff for not voting for Jim Parker. C'mon, a gymnast and and a lady hoopster over Hondo and a heisman trophy winner--Vic Janowicz...Chris L. is right, you might as well put E. Gordon Gee on the list.
--J. T. Render The top five should be Griffin, Lucas, Owens, Harley and Nicklaus.
Griffin is the only two time Heisman Trophy winner. Lucas was a three time NCAA player of the year and was a great, great player here, the best ever in the league let alone OSU. Those two are Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball at OSU. OSU stadium was built because of Harley. Most do know about the accomplishments of Owens and Nicklaus. Oden was here, what, eight months? I'm also not sure Troy belongs on this list and feel the same about Eddie George. Not that they didn't do great things here, but others are more deserving. If I was going to add another football player it would be Randy Gradishar. He is the best LB ever to play here, not Spielman or Cousineau. Some the ranking and the names on this list reflect that for many if they didn't see it, or it didn't happen in the last ten years, it didn't happen. I agree that Craig Krenzel should be on the list. You know why? He was the leading rusher in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl with 81 yards and walked home with MVP (first of two straight).
Cris Carter is not on the list for the same reason Maurice Clarett isn't. They almost put the program on probation. Although Archie Griffin was a spectacular athlete in college, unfortunately he never had a spectacular pro career, and that, to me, puts he solidly at no. 2 or 3 behind nicklaus and jesse owens. Owens is perhaps one of the top ten athletes of all time, an athlete at the top of a sport that was at the time, just as important as football. Also, Cris Carter, and John Havlicek should be on this list.
The Ohio State should not forget The Maruice Clauret or how ever you spell that thugs name.
Jesse Owens is an icon in a league of his own and you put him behind a football player who couldn't even swing it in the NFL???
you cannot put Greg Oden on this list ahead of Jim Jackson. Jackson was named to ESPN's all millenium team for the big ten.
I think that Greg Oden should have been at the most fifth.
How about Chris Spielman. I agree with others that Oden does not belong. Only played half a year. How about Rex kern?
I would put Clark Kellogg or Jimmy Jackson on the list before Greg Oden if you wanted a basketball player and as far as overall athletes I think Vic Janowicz should replace him... Vic might even be worthy of Top 5 consideration.
By the way, I agree with just about everybody in the world that thinks y'all are crazy for not having Owens and Nicklaus #1 and #2. How can Andy Katzenmoyer not be included in this list? He symbolizes what it means to be a tOSU "student"-athlete and, along with Maurice Clarrett, is truly representative of tOSU's athletes.
1. Jesse Owens
2. Jack 3. Archie 4. Chic Harley 5. Havlicek 6. Eddie George 7. Cassidy 8. Troy Smith 9. Spielman 10. Jerry Lucas You can argue the list all you want, but you can't argue the fact that The Ohio State University has the most elite group of athletes in all of college athletics. Bow down.
How could you say clarrett deserves to be on this list? he is an embaresment to the great state of Ohio. And Archie is number 1 he won 2 heismans.
Gotta be PC and put those gymnasts and women's basketball players on there. Plus the flavor of the month. Get real.
How can you put Troy Smith on any list!? He pouted thru the FLA game and blew it! he embarassed all the fans and set tradition back 50 years he's a joke.
If you're going to put Oden on the list, you have to put Clarret. Their accomplishments are almost identical.
Where's Butch Reynolds? He's a world record holder! Hello? And c'mon, where's the love for Kirk Herbstreit? :) Anyone who can stick it to Hitler needs to be #1.
Woah. John Havlicek? Orlando Pace? Michael Redd? Terry Glenn? Chris Carter? Paul Warfield? The Golden Bear 9th? And Jesse Owens should be #1 because he was not only a great athelete, he had a huge cultural impact. How about a true Buckeye does this list
Aldis Berzins...one of the world's top volleyball players in his era.
Randy Gradishar. He never got his due outside of Denver. One of the best linebackers ever, if not the best.
Nicklaus is the GREATEST golfer since golf was invented. Are ANY of the other athletes the GREATEST of their sport? Right.
I think winning 4 gold medals and owning 3 world records should at least put you #1 on your own school's best athlete list! And I am quite sure Ginn Jr, Galloway, Conley Jr, Carter, among many others are a little more athletic than Katie Smith.
Great athletes, great lists, but how did Jeep Davis get pushed aside without mention? Seven world records, 3 gold medals, one of the top 50 T&F athletes of the century chosen by an international panel - Reynolds, and Whitfield were good, but Jeep is second only to Owens as an OSU track standout!
What about Keith Byars, Jack Tatum, or AJ Hawk???
Are you crazy... where's Butch Reynolds? There is no way half of the list should be in front of him. Get a freaking clue... are you trying to be PC and tick me off?
I was born in Columbus and I am all Buckeye. Jack Nicklaus is a legend, along with Jesse Owens. I think Jesse Owens should be on a higher note because he had to overcome racial barriers and blackmail. Troy Smith is a soon-to-become Buckeye legend. Archie Griffin won two Heismans, so I agree with his being number one. Eddie George is a just a classic. Katie Smith was DEFNETELY one of the best female b-ball players ever. With Greg Oden, I agree with detroitbuckeye. He was only there for one season! Maybe one more dominant year and he would have definetelhy cracked the top 5 ever.
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