Former Ohio State football player Ted Ginn Jr. retires from the NFL
By Del Barris
The former Ohio State football player capped off a great NFL career on Friday after being a first-round pick back in 2007
Former Buckeye receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. is retiring. He announced Friday he is stepping away from football after fourteen seasons in the NFL. Ginn said,
"“I dedicated my life and my time to football my entire life until now, and being able to go out peacefully on a joy is all I wanted.”"
Ginn was taken by Miami with the ninth pick of the 2007 Draft. He spent three seasons with the Dolphins before moving on to San Francisco. He also played for Carolina (twice), Arizona, New Orleans, and Chicago. Ginn was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie team and played in two Super Bowls.
The Cleveland native caught 412 passes for over 5,700 yards and 33 touchdowns in his career. He also rushed for nearly 500 yards on just 68 carries. Ginn was a prolific kick returner. He had over 9,500 yards combined kick and punt returns, and seven touchdowns. All of that adds up to 15,751 all-purpose yards for his career.
As a Buckeye, Ginn was equally prolific. The Glenville High School product had 135 receptions for nearly 2,000 yards and fifteen touchdowns. He is arguably the greatest kick returner the school has ever had. Ginn averaged fourteen yards per punt return and nearly 27 yards on kick returns. He still holds the school record for punt returns for touchdowns in a season (four) and career (six).
Ginn was a named first-team All-American by various outlets for three consecutive seasons with the Buckeyes. He was first-team All-Big Ten as a senior in 2006 and helped the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a birth in the BCS National Championship game. He returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in that championship game against Florida but broke a bone in his foot during the celebration. You can watch that play here.
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Ginn is the fastest football player I’ve ever seen. He was a national champion in track in high school and was able to translate his speed to the football field as well. You don’t often see track guys able to do that. He is easily one of the most exciting Ohio State football players in program history. You held your breath each time he touched the football. I’ll miss seeing him on the field.