Ohio State football: Like father, like son

we continue to look back at Ohio State football greats. On this Fathers Day, we look back at a great father/son duo.

I’m not sure how many father/son combinations have played for the Buckeyes. When I think of the subject, one duo in particular comes to mind. On this Father’s Day, let’s take a look at the duo I consider the greatest in Ohio State football history: Ron and Shawn Springs.

After being named as the national junior college player of the year at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College, Ron joined the Buckeyes for the 1976 season. He took over as the starter early in the 1977 campaign when Jeff Logan was injured and proceeded to lead the team in rushing (1166 yards) and receptions (16). He led also led the Big Ten in rushing and was named first-team all-conference. He was poised for an even bigger senior year, but battled a knee injury for most of the season and was limited to just 585 rushing yards. For his Ohio State career, Ron ran for over 2,100 yards.

Dallas drafted him in the fifth round in 1979 to be a backup to Tony Dorsett. After his rookie season, Ron added weight and eventually became the Cowboys’ starting fullback. He showed his versatility by turning into an adept blocker and receiver. For the 1981 season, he tied Tony Hill for the team lead in receptions with 46 and two years later led all NFL running backs with 73 catches, which was also a team record. 1983 also saw him combine for over 1,100 rushing and receiving yards.

When the Cowboys released him just before the start of the 1985 season, he signed with Tampa Bay where he spent the last two years of his career. In eight NFL seasons, he ran for over 2,500 yards, caught nearly 250 passes, and had 4778 combined rushing and receiving yards.

Ron was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1990 and battled a myriad of health issues in the coming years, including having his right foot amputated. He received a kidney transplant in 2006 thanks to a donation from his best friend on the Cowboys, Everson Walls. Ron died of a heart attack in May of 2011 at the age of 54 (to see a tribute to him done by the NFL Network, click here).

Shawn came to the Ohio State football program in 1993 and, after a redshirt season, would go on to become one of the best cornerbacks the school has ever produced. In my opinion he’s THE best the Buckeyes have ever had. He was the very definition of a shutdown cornerback. In 1996, he was named a consensus All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year despite not having an interception, but had fifteen pass breakups.

He helped the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and first Rose Bowl win in 23 years. Shawn was also twice named first-team All-Big Ten. Many do not remember he was an excellent kick returner averaging over 25 yards per return (You can relive some of Shawn’s glory days with the Buckeyes here).

He was taken as the third overall pick by Seattle in the 1997 NFL Draft. His seven interceptions in 1998 were good enough to get him elected to the Pro Bowl. After seven seasons in Seattle, he was signed by Washington. His first season there (2004) saw him become the first cornerback in league history to lead a team in interceptions (five) and sacks (six).

Washington released him after five years with the team. He signed with the New England for the 2009 season, which would be his last in the NFL. Shawn started 155 of 169 games in his career and had 33 interceptions. He was named to Seattle’s 35th Anniversary Team.

Ron and Shawn combined to play 71 games and were named first-team All-Big Ten three times for the Buckeyes. If you know of an Ohio State football father/son duo who rivals this one, please let me know; I’d love to read about them. Happy Father’s Day to all of my fellow dads in Buckeye Nation.