Helmet Stickers
October 6, 1996
I was enjoying the PSU/OSU Matchup this weekend, when I noticed something disturbing about the Buckeye Helmets. I don't understand why the Administration of OSU is endorsing drug use by placing stickers depicting a Marijuana leaf on the back of Buckeye players' helmets. This practice is astonishing!! With the renewed emphasis on drug testing in the NFL you would think that the players would be more careful about drug use. I have to wonder where President Gee and Cooper's brains are on this issue.
But the practice of using stickers to mark a player's good plays is an age-old one. It actually began in the 20's in the Ivy League. Back then they wore those leather helmets. Anyway, after a might big hit by a Columbia defender on a Yale back, the defender actually tore his "helmet". So they had to sew a patch on it. Well, by the time the season was over, the helmet was full of patches. So, whenever the coach needed a big play, he looked around and found the guy with the most patches on his helmet and sent him in.
Well, you can't really patch plastic except with a tube of epoxy, so they had to go to stickers. I don't think they are as much fun because you don't really know where the hit was made because the patch (sticker) is placed on the back of the helmet. Which brings me back to the Buckeyes. Woody actually used to place the stickers on the helmets himself during the game. He would place the sticker in his hand and then slap the player as he came off the field.
Too often people thought he was punishing a player, but actually they enjoyed getting hit. It was when he would forget to put the sticker in his hand before slapping their heads that they got upset.
So, I go back to my original point. Ohio State uses a Marijuana leaf for the sticker. They even have one for the bass drummer. I guess he must be good because his sticker is as big as his drum. Maybe OSU's new slogan should be "Legalize Big Fat Woodies".
I think that OSU should stop this practice before someone gets the wrong idea about the school. And maybe it would help in reducing the number of riots after the game. Sober students wouldn't behave this way.