Former Ohio State football player Ted Smith died over the weekend at the age of 71.
Smith played as the Buckeyes’ offensive guard from 1972 to 1975. During that time, he was a crucial run blocker for Archie Griffin, who notably won the Heisman Trophy in both 1974 and 1975. Griffin remains the only player in college football history with two Heisman wins, and Smith was the starting left guard in both of those seasons.
Interestingly, Smith started as a linebacker before transitioning to the offensive line. Reflecting on his football career, he remarked, “I played the offensive line at 6 feet-1 and about 257 pounds. It was a good size back then, but now, it feels a bit small.” He commented on the evolution of the game, saying, “Athletes today are larger and faster, but blocking and tackling remain critical.”
He cherished the time spent playing alongside talented players like Griffin, reminiscing, “We were there, knocking people down and passing the ball to Archie. I was fortunate to play with such great talent.”
Smith experienced four strong seasons with the Buckeyes, beginning a remarkable 15-year journey in which the team consistently reached bowl games. He mentioned, “Being named an All-American in my senior year was a huge honor. Our team had four guys who made the first team, which says a lot.” He fondly recalled their trips to the Rose Bowl, stating, “Back then, going to the Rose Bowl was a big deal. It was where you wanted to be as a Buckeye, to end the season on January 1st in Pasadena.”
In his obituary, it was noted that Smith remained a dedicated fan of Ohio State football, expressing a passion for cheering on his team and instilling that love in his family.
