I realize that old-timers might argue for Chic Harley, and youngsters might contend that Chase Young is OSU’s “greatest athlete.” Though his teams were really the start of Buckeye football greatness, Harley was well before even my time. But, given Young’s freakish combination of size, speed, and strength, I must agree that he’s quite an athlete.
Yet, Jesse Owens was special. His accomplishments on the track, his history-making victories in 1936 Berlin Olympics, and his career as a spokesperson make his name one that everyone knows, everyone respects. But, of course, not everyone knows that he ran for Ohio State and was known as the “Buckeye Bullet.