Tag: Howard “Hopalong” Cassady

Hopalong Cassady’s grandson, Captain Kyle Cassady, remembers his grandfather, discusses Rose Bowl flyover

We talked to @Whiteman_AFB very own Howard Cassady’s grandson, Captain Kyle Cassady, on the flyover he’s going to be doing for the Rose Bowl, and also reminisced about the time with his grandfather. #B2 #AFflyover #AF75

We are less than 24 hours away from Ohio State taking on Utah in the 108th Rose Bowl. And while the action on the field is what everybody will be in the stadium to see, there’s something that’ll be going on above the stadium in the pregame that is pretty cool too.

That’s because Howard “Hopalong” Cassady’s grandson, Captain Kyle Cassady, will be one of the pilots performing the flyover in a B-2 stealth bomber. We caught up with Captain Cassady just to reminisce about the Buckeye and college football legend his grandfather was, touch on what it’ll be like to fly over the stadium, and more. We even touched on some of the memories (some funny, some cherished) from Captain Cassady’s time with his grandfather growing up.

Here is our complete conversation with Cassady, and before we go any further, we want to thank him for his service first and foremost. We’re all watching a college football game on Saturday, but what he’s doing is much more important and deserves more recognition than we can ever give.

That being said let’s dive into some interesting stories and the memories Cassady was so gracious to share with us.

Scheduled B-2 stealth bomber Rose Bowl flyover has very cool Ohio State connection

This is a very cool connection between Ohio State and one of the pilots in the B-2 stealth bomber performing the Rose Bowl flyover. #GoBucks #RoseBowl

The Ohio State fan base may not be showing its usual support with travel to the Rose Bowl like normal because of several mitigating factors (pandemic and disappointment to name two), but what the Buckeyes lack in the stands, they can look up in the air just before game time and be proud.

That’s because there is a unique Ohio State connection to the planned B-2 stealth flyover that will occur just prior to the Rose Bowl kicking off on Saturday. And by unique, we mean a relative of the late Howard “Hopalong” Cassady will be piloting the iconic bomber based out of Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri that will send the crowd into a frenzy when it soars above the pristine turf of the venerable Rose Bowl Stadium.

The grandson of the 1955 Heisman winner, U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Cassady, will be one of the pilots that will provide a very cool experience and photo/video opportunity for many fans and media members on Saturday afternoon in Pasadena.

The younger Cassady attended Upper Arlington High School just north of Columbus and played football and lacrosse for the Golden Bears before graduating from the Air Force Academy.

And surprisingly, it won’t be the first time Cassady has had the opportunity to do an Ohio State football game flyover. He also got to pilot the B-2 stealth flyover before the Buckeyes hosted Nebraska in the ‘Shoe on November 3, 2018.

Here’s a little segment on his first flyover thanks to Columbus ABC sportscaster Clay Hall.

So look up when the B-2 bomber graces its presence over the Rose Bowl and throw up an O-H to Cassady. Pretty cool.

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Ohio State football well-represented in ESPN’s top 150 college players of all-time

Ohio State had six players appearing in the first 125 players unveiled in ESPN’s Top 150 College Football Players of all-time.

The Ohio State football program is well-represented in ESPN’s top 150 college football players of all-time. The worldwide leader in sports programming crafted the series as a nod towards the 150th year anniversary of college football.

It started with naming 125 players and will be unveiling the top 25 this coming Monday at halftime of the national championship game. That means more OSU players could be named — ahem, cough, cough — Archie Griffin.

So what Buckeyes made the cut in the top 125? Eddie George leads all OSU players at No. 38. Behind him is Jack Tatum (No. 44), Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (No. 47), Orlando Pace (No. 51), Jim Parker (No. 141), and Chris Spielman (No. 143).

So how many more Ohio State players might be in the top 25? Tune in at halftime of the big one in New Orleans to find out.