I first met Luke Fickell on the field after the 1997 Rose Bowl, where Ohio State had just defeated Arizona State 20-17. The Dispatch parachuted me in to help cover the game, and during the chaotic celebration I approached the senior noseguard for a quick quote.
“Mike, Mike Vrabel?” I called out, not pausing before launching into my now long-forgotten question.
Uh-oh. In all the commotion, the newbie to OSU football coverage had confused Fickell for Vrabel, the Buckeyes’ All-America defensive end and one of Fickell’s best friends.
“I’m Fickell,” No. 99 cut me short, staring a hole through my soul.