We’ve been going through a series here at Buckeyes Wire. It’s a debate on which Ohio State football player is the best to wear specific jersey numbers, and we’re now up to No. 11.
Before we get into all the fun, here’s an update on where we stand with all the jersey numbers we’ve debated to date:
Jersey No. 1 | Jersey No. 2 | Jersey No. 3 | Jersey No. 4 | Jersey No. 5 | Jersey No. 6 | Jersey No. 7 | Jersey No. 8 | Jersey No. 9 | Jersey No. 10
We’re doing this because we know you’re bored looking at every square inch of your home. And while things are beginning to slowly open up, including the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, we’re all getting a little stir crazy from being cooped up due to the measures put in place to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Frankly, we’re getting a little bored of watching Ohio State beat Michigan in so many classic games over, and over, and over.
Anyway, in the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there is sure to be some disagreement, but that only makes it more fun.
We will continue to go as high as makes sense, or until we can get back into the Gap to buy Jim Harbaugh some ripped khakis. We’ll have the results of all of these polls further down the road, but you can get your voice heard on this one by clicking on the below Twitter poll.
Here we go again Mark, as usual, you’re up first …
Next … Mark’s thoughts
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
I’m going to go on the defensive side of the ball and give the nod to Antoine Winfield. I gave Anthony Gonzalez serious consideration based on the catch against Michigan in 2005, but I just didn’t see enough to put him ahead of one of the all-time greats at DBU — er, BIA.
Winfield came to Ohio State and learned under another Buckeye great, cornerback Shawn Springs. But after Springs departed for the NFL, it didn’t take long for Winfield to make a name for himself.
He would become a two-time All-Big Ten selection, a first-team All-American in 1998, as well as becoming the first Buckeye in school history to take home the Thorpe Award for the nation’s most outstanding defensive back.
Winfield ended up being drafted in the late first round of the 1999 NFL Draft and would go on to have an illustrious 14-year career with Buffalo and Minnesota as a shutdown corner. Some would even argue he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I tend to agree.
Next … Brock responds
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
Well, we are in agreement again Mark. The best Buckeye to wear No. 11 is easily Antoine Winfield, and it’s not even close.
You’ve already noted all the accolades including All-American honors. However, Winfield also led Ohio State to an 11-1 record and a Sugar Bowl win over Texas A&M before making three pro bowls at the next level in the NFL.
There is one more name I’ll throw out here even though Winfield is the winner. Vonn Bell.
Just think about it.
Bell was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and first-team All-American in 2015. I don’t know that many remember that. He finished his career with 175 tackles (solo and assisted), nine interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.
And … he won a National Championship.
Bell was also a second-round draft pick and is still going pretty strong on Sundays today with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Next … Phil’s closing argument
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Well, ho-hum. It’s pretty boring when we all three agree, but I see Winfield as the easy choice as well. There’s not a whole lot left to be said that you both haven’t already highlighted other than witnessing perhaps the best game I’ve ever seen a cornerback play. The setting was 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan when Winfield was literally all over the field. So much so, he prompted the late, great Keith Jackson to suggest getting him a telephone booth during the broadcast — a nod to Superman.
Regardless, the other thing I’ll mention is Winfield’s courage. He was just 5-foot, 9-inches, and 180-pounds while playing at Ohio State, but that mattered little. He would come up and hit opposing players like a ton of bricks, yet had the speed and ability to blanket defenders down the field.
Yeah, for me, like both Mark and Brock, it’s Winfield all by himself.
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