jcollingsworth
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The Ohio State University has had many great athletes throughout the years. Each week I intend to profile one of these great athletes from the colossal index of players that have donned a scarlet and gray uniform at some time in the Buckeyes storied history.
Today we shall begin with the Buckeye Bullet.
Jesse Owens attended The Ohio State University and was affectionately known as the “Buckeye Bullet.” Jesse won a record eight individual NCAA championships, four each in 1935 and 1936. (The record of four gold medals at the NCAA has been equaled only by Xavier Carter in 2006. Though in truth, certainly no slight of Xavier here, his titles also included relay medals.
One of Owen’s most memorable achievements came in a short span of 45 minutes on May 25, 1935, during the Big Ten meet at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor. He would set three world records and tied a fourth; equaling the world’s record in the 100 yard dash at 9.4 seconds; and setting records in the long jump @ 26 ft 8 1⁄4 in or 8.13 meters. This record would stand for 25-years. He would also set records in the 220-yard (201.2 m) sprint @ 20.3 seconds; and 220-yard (201.2m) low hurdles @ 22.6 seconds, becoming the first to break 23 seconds.
Those are great “Buckeyes” moments.
The rest of America, and the world, recalls Mr. Owens explosion in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He would win four-gold medals in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, the 4 x 100 meter relay and the Long Jump.
Hitler would exit the stadium early, skipping medal presentations, humiliated that the Nazi propaganda which promoted the delusionary theories of “Aryan racial superiority” was in fact racist garbage. It was one of the most single greatest moments for any athlete ever in history – especially American.
One of Jesse’s greatest statements – ever – was when he was asked of the secret of his success as a track and field legend: “I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible – from the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up.”
Jesse’s life following the greatest Olympic performance ever was not what victors came home to. The nation was embroiled in the ugliness of racism. And this Gold Medalist enjoyed little of the fruits that we imagine would be gift-wrapped in such victories for “America”.
Therefore, in conclusion, with the accomplishments that he performed in the face of such atrocities wasn’t equivalent to “having” to beat Michigan, or hit the shot before the buzzer rings, but greater. Jesse Owens victories were of the “real” world in an era that was horrific.
“The Buckeye Bullet” was an affectionate nickname for the great Jesse Owens. His speed and abilities were phenomenal. The history books have validated this fact for generations to come. Without question this gifted athlete Makes the List – of the Buckeyes Greatest Athletes.
The post Making The List: The Buckeye Bullet appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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