BirmBuckeye
Rookie
American Heritage Dictionary
leg?end (lěj'ənd)
n.
1. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.
American Heritage Dictionary
star n. (st?r)
1. An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.
What is the fundamental difference between a "legend" and a "star" when used in application inside of the realm of athletic achievement? How does one transcend "star" to become "legend"? Must you be seen as one, to be recognized as the other? Some would say that a "legend" is defined by greatness that does not fade with the passing of time, while stardom; likes it's celestial muse, is a flash of burning hot light and attention, only to fade into the darkness, forgotten once its luminescence dims.
In the long storied history of Ohio State football, there are many stars who provided many fans with many unforgettable moments. Who can forget Lydell Ross, and his 113 yard Big Ten debut, or the flash of Michael Wiley scoring on his first three collegiate touches? Who doesn?t get chills every time they see visions of Robert Smith galloping down the sideline, sprinting away from defenders, or the gritty toughness of Corny Greene, darting through defenders on his way to another date with the endzone. Carlos Snow?s red high-tops chewing up yardage on his way to another 100 yard performance. The list of stars that "popped" and then dissipated is long, and chock full of memories that many of us will never forget.
Yes, the libraries of Ohio State lore cradle many, many stars; but only a select few legends. Players and coaches whose statistics and accolades on the field are only surpassed by the manner in which their monumental feats are revered in the gray matter of those who were fortunate enough to be graced by it.
Over the years, there have been a number of different sources who have given us their opinions on who the greatest Buckeyes of all-time were; and why those players were chosen. Those selecting the teams are historians, sportswriters and other members of the "elite" class of sports fan ? but each of those volumes suffers from a fatal flaw; the exclusion of the voice that matters the most; WE the fan. The people who live and die with each passing Autumn Saturday, who wake up humming the Buckeye Battle Cry as we head out to the front yard in freezing temperatures to hoist our Buckeye flag on the flagpole in our front yards. We, the fans; who ask for nothing more than a Buckeye victory; and who expect nothing less from our "men of scarlet and gray".
In that vein, I have decided to put it to you, the best damn fans in the land; to decide who are the REAL legends of Ohio State football. Those players who left indelibly etched memories in our consciences, those players who will always remind us of why we love football each and every time we see any player who bears the number they emblazoned in our hearts and souls.
Starting tomorrow, Sunday, April 27, 2008; we will embark on a wonderful trip down memory lane, one that I hope sparks each of you in a unique way. Each Saturday, I will post asking you to begin nominating your choices for the All-Time Ohio State team at each football position. After a day of debate and consideration, I will then post a poll that will run from Monday through Saturday highlighting the choices presented by you, the fan. After the voting for the specified position is closed, I will post the winner; including an accompanying story detailing the life and career of the winner.
Obviously some positions will have more than one selection, so it will break down like this:
Quarterback: Top Vote Getter Voting from April 28th ? May 3rd
Halfback: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from May 5th ? May 10th
Fullback: Top Vote Getter Voting from May 12th ? May 17th
Wide Receiver: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from May 19th ? May 24th
Tight End: Top Vote Getter Voting from May 26th ? May 31st
Offensive Line: Top Vote Getter Voting from June 2nd ? June 7th
Defensive End: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from June 9th ? June 14th
Defensive Tackle: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from June 16th ? June 21st
Linebacker: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from June 23rd ? June 28th
Cornerback: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from June 30th ? July 5th
Safety: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from July 7th ? July 12th
Kicker: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 14th ? July 19th
Punter: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 21st ? July 26th
Return Specialist: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 28th ? August 2nd
Head Coach: Top Vote Getter Voting from August 4th ?August 9th
**I believe that the majority of Buckeye fans would agree with me, four of the five offensive line positions will be "preselected" and filled by: Orlando Pace, Korey Stringer, John Hicks and Jim Parker. If there is reasonable debate provided as reason to exclude one of these four, and bring a different choice into the selection process, then we can adjust as we go, but in my estimation; they are a pretty safe bet.**
This voting will take place across three different Buckeye websites, so I truly feel that we can get an accurate representation, and a tremendous amount of feedback to make sure that all possible players are given a chance to be represented and ultimately selected as a "Hero Of The Horseshoe?"
If there are any questions, please feel free to send me a message asking me any details you'd wish to have clarified for you.
*I am asking for the help of the board moderators to make sure that this stays "stickied" to the top of the board, and that each week the subsequent poll remain there as well. Thank you all for your help*
I really hope that this turns out as fun and interesting as I think it can; and I know with your support it will truly be a great experience for everyone involved.
~ BirmBuckeye~
leg?end (lěj'ənd)
n.
1. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.
American Heritage Dictionary
star n. (st?r)
1. An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.
What is the fundamental difference between a "legend" and a "star" when used in application inside of the realm of athletic achievement? How does one transcend "star" to become "legend"? Must you be seen as one, to be recognized as the other? Some would say that a "legend" is defined by greatness that does not fade with the passing of time, while stardom; likes it's celestial muse, is a flash of burning hot light and attention, only to fade into the darkness, forgotten once its luminescence dims.
In the long storied history of Ohio State football, there are many stars who provided many fans with many unforgettable moments. Who can forget Lydell Ross, and his 113 yard Big Ten debut, or the flash of Michael Wiley scoring on his first three collegiate touches? Who doesn?t get chills every time they see visions of Robert Smith galloping down the sideline, sprinting away from defenders, or the gritty toughness of Corny Greene, darting through defenders on his way to another date with the endzone. Carlos Snow?s red high-tops chewing up yardage on his way to another 100 yard performance. The list of stars that "popped" and then dissipated is long, and chock full of memories that many of us will never forget.
Yes, the libraries of Ohio State lore cradle many, many stars; but only a select few legends. Players and coaches whose statistics and accolades on the field are only surpassed by the manner in which their monumental feats are revered in the gray matter of those who were fortunate enough to be graced by it.
Over the years, there have been a number of different sources who have given us their opinions on who the greatest Buckeyes of all-time were; and why those players were chosen. Those selecting the teams are historians, sportswriters and other members of the "elite" class of sports fan ? but each of those volumes suffers from a fatal flaw; the exclusion of the voice that matters the most; WE the fan. The people who live and die with each passing Autumn Saturday, who wake up humming the Buckeye Battle Cry as we head out to the front yard in freezing temperatures to hoist our Buckeye flag on the flagpole in our front yards. We, the fans; who ask for nothing more than a Buckeye victory; and who expect nothing less from our "men of scarlet and gray".
In that vein, I have decided to put it to you, the best damn fans in the land; to decide who are the REAL legends of Ohio State football. Those players who left indelibly etched memories in our consciences, those players who will always remind us of why we love football each and every time we see any player who bears the number they emblazoned in our hearts and souls.
Starting tomorrow, Sunday, April 27, 2008; we will embark on a wonderful trip down memory lane, one that I hope sparks each of you in a unique way. Each Saturday, I will post asking you to begin nominating your choices for the All-Time Ohio State team at each football position. After a day of debate and consideration, I will then post a poll that will run from Monday through Saturday highlighting the choices presented by you, the fan. After the voting for the specified position is closed, I will post the winner; including an accompanying story detailing the life and career of the winner.
Obviously some positions will have more than one selection, so it will break down like this:
Quarterback: Top Vote Getter Voting from April 28th ? May 3rd
Halfback: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from May 5th ? May 10th
Fullback: Top Vote Getter Voting from May 12th ? May 17th
Wide Receiver: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from May 19th ? May 24th
Tight End: Top Vote Getter Voting from May 26th ? May 31st
Offensive Line: Top Vote Getter Voting from June 2nd ? June 7th
Defensive End: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from June 9th ? June 14th
Defensive Tackle: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from June 16th ? June 21st
Linebacker: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from June 23rd ? June 28th
Cornerback: Top 3 Vote Getters Voting from June 30th ? July 5th
Safety: Top 2 Vote Getters Voting from July 7th ? July 12th
Kicker: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 14th ? July 19th
Punter: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 21st ? July 26th
Return Specialist: Top Vote Getter Voting from July 28th ? August 2nd
Head Coach: Top Vote Getter Voting from August 4th ?August 9th
**I believe that the majority of Buckeye fans would agree with me, four of the five offensive line positions will be "preselected" and filled by: Orlando Pace, Korey Stringer, John Hicks and Jim Parker. If there is reasonable debate provided as reason to exclude one of these four, and bring a different choice into the selection process, then we can adjust as we go, but in my estimation; they are a pretty safe bet.**
This voting will take place across three different Buckeye websites, so I truly feel that we can get an accurate representation, and a tremendous amount of feedback to make sure that all possible players are given a chance to be represented and ultimately selected as a "Hero Of The Horseshoe?"
If there are any questions, please feel free to send me a message asking me any details you'd wish to have clarified for you.
*I am asking for the help of the board moderators to make sure that this stays "stickied" to the top of the board, and that each week the subsequent poll remain there as well. Thank you all for your help*
I really hope that this turns out as fun and interesting as I think it can; and I know with your support it will truly be a great experience for everyone involved.
~ BirmBuckeye~
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