Reader requests sportsmanship from Ohio State, Michigan fans
Unfortunately, we don’t have room in the print edition for all of the great reader feedback we’re getting. For more of the letters, go to Dispatch.com. Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On Ohio State football
To the editor: I am a senior citizen who resents publishing gloating from “fans” who are not supportive of OSU. I can tell each one that I have never gloated about winning, even though throughout the period from 2001 to 2020 OSU was very dominant. I was always very happy that they won, but that should be the end of it. When I am north of Toledo, I do not even speak of OSU or write letters to the editor of the Detroit Free Press gloating about an OSU win. I also notice that when I am up in that that state, I see zero OSU bumper stickers, etc., and that is the way it should be. I have been to every Major League Baseball stadium and have kept my mouth shut, even though the Indians or Reds were playing that home team. This is called “sportsmanship” and is something missing in today’s games. This trash talking is what created anger and hatred, and it has no place here.
Thomas W. Billing
To the editor: I love Comedy Hour! To wit, responses from the Franz Kabelkas of the world saying that (Michigan) “cheated” their way to victory in 2021 and 2022. Mr. Kabelka must not have watched UM’S domination of the line of scrimmage in 2021. When some of the more ignorant Buckeye faithful attribute the 22-point Wolverine victory in Columbus in 2022 to cheating, such alleged malfeasance must have ranked among the most effective of all time.
I implore the Dispatch to keep such comments coming! After all, our latenight comedians are certainly not the second coming of Carson or Letterman.
Rick Roeder
Dear Editor: I thought the LA Dodgers were having the best offseason in sports, but Ohio State may have just grabbed that title. They’ll need it, with extra playoff games and new Big Ten member Oregon added to the 2024 schedule. I’d be surprised if some updated preseason polls don’t give Ohio State the top ranking over Georgia. Adam Silbert, New York
To Adam: We’ll see next season which was a better haul: Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, Will Howard, Julian Sayin, Seth Mclaughlin plus the returns of JT Tuimoloau, Emeka Egbuka, Denzel Burke, Jack Sawyer, Treveyon Henderson and Donovan Jackson.
To the editor: Terrible of Maurice Clarett calling for coach Ryan Day’s ouster. So he couldn’t beat Michigan. Is that grounds for dismissal? People here in Pennsylvania have similar feelings about James Franklin at Penn State. A 10-2 mark isn’t too shabby. Everyone’s a critic!
Matt Engel, Wilkes Barre, Pa.
To Brian: It was good to get perspective on the current Buckeyes from Craig Krenzel. Understandably, much of his focus was on the Michigan game. There is that intangible factor (implied) that’s difficult to describe: What seemed to be a tightness during the Cooper years is something different now – that lack of doggedness (aka “fight” or “heart”) Craig discussed, normally instilled over time in Buckeyes-to-be. It’s that “leave it all on the field” approach. I still remember the 42-41 win (2013) under Meyer’s tutelage. Michigan QB Devin Gardner’s final two-point conversion pass was broken up. Soon, he lay on the ground after truly giving his all. A picture of devotion.
Buckeye fans have enjoyed Jonathan Wells making Tressel’s claim come true as well as Troy Smith and OSU’S defenses winning four straight against Lloyd Carr’s best. Earle Bruce won three of five games in Ann Arbor. But is this lack of doggedness/heart/intensity the reason coach Day can’t win the finale? I think Oller should interview more former players on this or related subjects. It’s engaging material. Ultimately, something has to change – a result which could take another year – to convince a waiting nation.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
On Ohio State basketball
To the editor: Great game by the (OSU women’s basketball) Buckeyes, sending the Hawkeyes home with a defeat. Bad finish, though, when that fan ran into Caitlin Clark, putting her on the floor. Then, the fan scoots and melds into the crowd. Did not stop to offer assistance. No “how are you?” No apology. Really bad form. Not the way Buckeyes are supposed to behave. Poor sportsmanship.
Now, Gene Smith did the “cleanup on aisle 6,” because he’s a real gentleman. Good on him. I’d like to see that fan identified and suggest that she offer an apology to one of college basketball’s greatest players.
Steve Harrold, Athens, Georgia