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Cassady?s play, dominance made up for what he lacked in size
BY DAN MCGRATH Big Ten Network Special Contributor
Growing up in Columbus, Howard ?Red? Cassady was infatuated with Ohio State University football. He dreamed of playing for the Buckeyes and he knew he had the desire, but at 5-foot-9 and 152 pounds, he wasn?t sure he was robust enough after graduating from Columbus Central High School as a highly decorated three-sport athlete in 1952.
Woody Hayes, the combative Buckeyes coach, summed it up for him.
?You?re big enough if you?re good enough,? Hayes said.
Cassady breathed a little easier. He suspected he was good enough, and he proved it by scoring three touchdowns in his varsity debut against Indiana, a 33-13 OSU victory. By the time he finished in Columbus, ?Red? Cassady would give way to ?Hopalong? Cassady. By any name, he would be one of the most accomplished players in college football history, a two-time All-American with a national championship, two Big Ten titles, a Heisman Trophy and the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award on his resume.
HOWARD "HOPALONG" CASSADY - Big Ten Icons - Big Ten Icons Network
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