To Scots, to drinkers of Drambuie, “the 45” recalls the 1745 Rebellion, the last attempt by the Stuart dynasty to regain control of the British throne. It recalls Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Battle of Culloden, defeat. But to Ohio State football fans, “45” means something entirely different, something glorious, in fact; it means Archie Griffin, one of the greatest Buckeyes ever, one of the best college football players ever.
As we continue our journey through the past, recalling Ohio State’s Heisman Trophy winners, I can’t help being surprised at the long gap between Howard “Hopalong” Cassady’s 1955 honor and Archie Griffin’s Heisman of 1974.