In an era when college football was about grit over glamor and loyalty over flash, few embodied the heart of the game like Ted Smith — a true Buckeye legend. Smith, the All-American offensive guard who helped pave the way for Archie Griffin’s historic Heisman runs, passed away over the weekend at the age of 71.
Long before NIL deals and transfer portals dominated headlines, Smith stood as a symbol of old-school, team-first football. At just 6-foot-1 and 257 pounds, he wasn’t the biggest guy on the field — even by the standards of the 1970s. But what he lacked in size, he more than made up for in toughness, discipline, and a love of the game that today’s generation could stand to learn from.
From 1972 to 1975, Smith was a cornerstone of the Ohio State offensive line under the legendary Woody Hayes. And during those four years, the Buckeyes didn’t just win games — they defined an era. With Smith leading the charge in the trenches, Ohio State went to the Rose Bowl every season he played, a feat nearly unimaginable in today’s fragmented college football landscape.
Most notably, Smith was the starting left guard for two straight Heisman-winning seasons by the great Archie Griffin — the only player in college football history to take home the award twice. And while Griffin got the headlines, he never forgot the linemen who made it possible.
Smith, in a past interview with the Toledo Blade, remembered Griffin with the kind of humility you rarely see in today’s athletes:
“He never thought he was better than anyone else, even with two Heisman Trophies. And he still appreciates his offensive linemen.”
That quiet dignity was a trademark of Smith’s — a man who didn’t crave the spotlight, but earned respect from everyone around him. He started his college career as a linebacker before switching to the offensive line, proving his versatility and team-first mindset.
Reflecting on his own accomplishments, Smith once said:
“I felt really honored to be named All-American as a senior. We had four guys from that team that made first team All-American, and that is a lot. It was a great group of guys.”
Indeed it was. Those Buckeye teams were built on character, hard work, and loyalty — qualities Smith carried with him long after his playing days ended. His obituary fittingly described him as a “die-hard Ohio State Buckeyes football fan,” one who passed down his love of the game to his family.
Ted Smith wasn’t a social media star or a branding sensation. He was something better: a tough, selfless, humble teammate who helped shape the golden age of Ohio State football. As the sport veers further from its roots, it’s men like Smith who remind us of what college football used to be — and what it should be again.
Rest in peace, Ted Smith. You were a Buckeye in every sense of the word.
