By Pattie Stechschulte

As temperatures fall and we move into the fall season – one word lies on the tip of the tongue of Buckeye Nation – football. Parking lots will be filled with throngs of fans while the air carries the delicious smell of grilled meat and the laughter of old friends through a sea of scarlet and gray.

During football season, Archie Griffin visits fans at all different kinds of tailgates – outside, inside, tents, cars, each with one common theme. “All of them have been a lot of fun; you can tell that folks at the tailgate are having a good time. Anytime you are at Ohio State during football, it really is an event and that is part of it,” Griffin says.

After all, Ohio State fans are resourceful. It seems like anywhere fans can find enough ground to set up a grill and table there is a tailgate. “People find places to tailgate regardless of their distance from the stadium – they are everywhere,” Griffin says. The Ohio State University Alumni Association hosts a few tailgate parties before games during the season that Griffin attends as the president/CEO, but sometimes it doesn’t pay to be the center of attention.

“Sometimes when I go, I get caught by people wanting to talk and I can’t move. I don’t always get to enjoy the food, but it is still fun,” he says. When Griffin does get to fill up his plate, he always goes for a big, thick burger topped with American or blue cheese and always extra pickles. Burgers (and pickles) have been a lifelong favorite, says the former running back and two-time Heisman winner.

His love of cheeseburgers is based on nostalgia for his childhood, just another young kid growing up in a family of eight kids – six brothers
and one sister. “When I was young being from a big family, that was a real treat to be able to go and get a cheeseburger.



Griffin's favorite tailgating nosh: the all-American cheeseburger.

Back in 1969 when Wendy’s first came out, I thought those square hamburgers were pretty good and I still do. I just remember growing up hearing about Dave Thomas and all that he stood for,” says Griffin, who now serves as the national spokesperson for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award which recognizes student athletes.

And then there’s his love for pickles – which borders on obsession. “I love pickles. I will always ask for extra pickles. I could eat pickles right out of the jar. I do it all the time,” Griffin confesses about his affinity for the green treat. “I don’t see a lot of pickles out at the tailgates, but if they had them, I would eat them.”

His enthusiasm for pickles spans the spectrum of tastes from sour pickles from New York’s Carnegie Deli to the hot and sweet pickles and peppers from Toledo’s own Tony Packo’s. “In fact, I have got some (Tony Packo’s) in my refrigerator right now,” he explains.

So how do you make any food taste better? Deep fry it, of course. “I love fried pickles. Down the street on Lane Avenue is the Rusty Bucket – I love their fried pickles. When I go there for lunch, that is the first thing I get. People in the office think I am nuts, but I love fried pickles,” he says.

Although he wasn’t blessed with a deft hand in the kitchen, he professes that his wife Bonita is quite the home chef. “My wife always gets on my case because I don’t cook on the grill. She likes doing it, so I tell her, ‘you are very good at it, and we want to have the best product possible, so it only makes sense that you do it,’ ” he says with his trademark smile.



Years of football practice doesn't help: Griffin says he's terrible at cornhole.

According to Archie: The Perfect Tailgating Menu

Cheeseburger with American or blue cheese
Chicken wings
Barbeque ribs and chicken
Cole slaw
Potato salad
Baked or green beans
Coke or water

Can I Have Your Autograph?

As the most recognizable Buckeye in Buckeye Nation, Archie Griffin is always in demand. The man is besieged with autograph requests daily, but he takes it all in stride and even found a way to help students with his John Hancock.

He dedicates time each week to signing sessions that his assistant Sherri Moore and others organize. “They will have it set up for me to go in one of the conference rooms and I will just sign for about an hour until the next batch comes,” he says.

“Probably the funniest thing I was ever asked to sign happened when I was working over in athletics. Sherri got a picture of Andy Griffith with a note asking me to sign it because they thought I was Andy Griffith,” he laughingly admits.

Football Dad – Adam Griffin Recruited to Play at Ohio State

Adam Griffin, an all-district and all-Columbus metro selection athlete from St. Francis DeSales HighSchool in Columbus, Ohio, is a freshmen recruit for the The Ohio State University football program this fall.

The 5-foot-9, 185-lb. running back, defensive back and return specialist helped DeSales advance to the 2009 state championship game, besides being an honor roll student and starter on the basketball team.

“When you play, you feel like you have control of what is going to happen. When it is your son, it is about as nerve-racking as playing, probably more,” says Griffin. “I didn’t realize my parents were going through all kind of things when they were watching me play.”

“Adam Griffin has a passion to be an Ohio State Buckeye,” says Coach Jim Tressel. “He will add a great deal to our football family on the field, in the locker room and on our campus. Adam clearly understands the privilege of being an Ohio State Buckeye.”
~ Source: Ohio State Alumni Association.

Finding a Spot to Tailgate on Game Day

Guests without football parking permits who are interested in setting up a tailgate should plan to set up those tailgates in any Day-of-Game Parking Lot. Day-of-game parking spaces are available at 6 a.m. on the day of the game on a first-come, first-served basis. Season permit parking spaces and RV parking spaces are reserved for those who have purchased a parking permit. Information about obtaining a parking permit can be found by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GOBUCKS.

Buckeyes 2010 Home Game Schedule

Sept. 2 Marshall 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Miami (FL) 3:40 p.m.
Sept. 18 Ohio 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 Eastern Michigan TBA
Oct. 9 Indiana TBA
Oct. 23 Purdue 12:00 p.m.
Nov. 13 Penn State TBA
Nov. 27 Michigan TBA