Tag: Chris Ward

Ohio State football legend finally makes Hall of Fame

Ohio State legend finally makes Hall of Fame #GoBucks

The College Football Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for 2024, and an Ohio State football legend is finally getting recognized. Chris Ward was a two-time All-American offensive tackle for the Buckeyes from 1975 through 1977 and was drafted fourth overall in the 1978 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

In addition to being named All-American twice, the Dayton, Ohio, native was first-team All-Big Ten all three seasons he started for Ohio State. Ward was a part of four Big Ten championships that Ohio State earned. He led the way for Archie Griffin during his second Heisman campaign, and will be the 28th former Buckeye player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

Ward also had a great NFL career playing seven seasons total, six with the Jets and his last season with the New Orleans Saints. He earned a spot on the All-Rookie team in 1978.

Nominees must have earned first-team All-American honors to be eligible and ten years removed from their last collegiate game as well as no longer active as a professional.

Ward went on to be involved in ministry after his football career and established Ward International, an afterschool program to help at-risk youth.

Two former Ohio State Buckeyes on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

The College Football Hall of Fame has listed its finalist and includes two former Buckeyes. #GoBucks

The College Football Hall of Fame has announced its finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. Among the 78 players to make the cut are two former Buckeyes, James Laurinaitis, and Chris Ward.

Laurinaitis was a three-time first-team All-American while starring in Scarlet and Gray in the mid-2000s. He was a unanimous selection in 2007. The OSU linebacker helped lead the Bucks to four Big Ten conference championships and back-to-back appearances in the BCS national championship game. Laurinaitis earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and also won the Bronco Nagurski trophy in 2006 and the Butkus Award in 2007. He finished his Ohio State career with 375 tackles, including 13 sacks and 9 interceptions.

Chris Ward suited up for the Buckeyes in the mid-1970s on the offensive line. Ward earned three all-conference selections and was a two-time All-American selection in 1976 and unanimous in 1977. Ward was part of the line that opened holes for two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin and helped lead the Buckeyes to at least a share of four Big Ten championships.

Voters have until June 30 to cast their ballots. Inductees will be announced early next year with the induction ceremony taking place on December 10, 2024.

This is the fifth time James Laurinaitis has been on the ballot and the sixth time for Chris Ward.

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Two former Ohio State players on College Football Hall of Fame ballots

Two more Buckeyes are up for enshrinement in Atlanta. #GoBucks

Two more former Ohio State players will have an opportunity to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Former linebacker James Laurinaitis and offensive tackle Chris Ward are among the candidates appearing on this year’s ballot for induction in Atlanta for the 2023 class announced on Monday.

Laurinaitis played for the Buckeyes from 2005 to 2008, being named a first-team All-American three times and helping Ohio State to BCS national championship games in 2006 and 2007. It’s the fourth-straight time the Butkus Award winner has appeared on the ballot.

Ward, was a two-time All-American selection in 1976 and 1977 under Woody Hayes. It is his fifth time on the ballot after not appearing last year. During his time at Ohio State, he helped pave the way for two-time Heisman Trophy-winning running back, Archie Griffin. You may have heard of him.

We’ll keep an eye on how it all plays out and have any further developments when an announcement is made later this year.

In order to be eligible to appear on the ballot, a player must be ten years removed from his college football career and must have played within the past 50 years.

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Trio of former Ohio State players included on 2021 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

A trio of former Ohio State players will appear on the ballot for the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame class.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the names on the 2021 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday, with three Ohio State players included. Chris Ward, James Laurinaitis, and Mike Doss are all up for inclusion. The ballot includes 78 players and seven coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, and 99 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.4 million people have played college football and only 1,027 players have been inducted,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell in a released statement. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class.”

Here are the bios provided by the NFF in the release:

Next … Bios from the National Football Foundation

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