Under the Helmet – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2005
Complete Story in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Buckeye “ultra-back” Ted Ginn Jr. garners a lot of attention on the football field. Deservedly so, following a sensational freshman campaign, where the 6-foot, 175-pound speedster scored eight times en route to All-America honors. With the acclaim, Ginn has become a focal point of defenses across the Big Ten. But off the field, the Cleveland, Ohio, native likes to shed the attention and give to others, especially children.
“I love to spend time with kids,” Ginn, who attended Glenville High School, said. “Just the things they do and the way they act, they’re so much fun.”
After weeks of intensive school work and time on the practice field, most players want to take time for themselves, a chance to relax and recharge. For Ginn, spending time with family, especially his little cousins, is just the trick.
“When I go home we don’t have to go anywhere,” Ginn said. “I just go over to their houses and we have a ball. We play PlayStation, and with my little girl cousins, we play with Barbie dolls and play tea party. We just love to have fun. I’m still a kid at heart and I see myself as a role model for my cousins.”
As a kid growing up, Ginn saw the benefit of relationships early in his life. It was these relationships that shaped his values and desire to help others.
“I had a lot of people that took me under their wing when I was young,” Ginn said. “My father was a football coach when I was growing up so I got to meet a lot of great guys. I could go to any one of them at any time and tell them anything. Glenville is a brotherly community. They cared for me and influenced me in positive ways and I want to do that for others.”
With the added fame and responsibility that comes with being a Buckeye student-athlete, Ginn has remained grounded as a family man.
“You never know how important just saying hello is or giving a little cousin a hug or kiss,” Ginn said. “It can make their day and help them get through the week just knowing that when my big cousin Ted comes home he’s going to come to my football game.’ It’s great.”
While playing professional football has always been a dream for the sophomore phenom, Ginn knows life extends far beyond the gridiron and he has plans of his own.
“After football I could see myself teaching, being a coach, owning a rec-center, just something for the kids and the community,” Ginn said.
Regardless of what the future holds for Ginn, he is enjoying his time now at Ohio State. Teammates are quick to label him as a jokester who is always lively.
“I try to always walk around with a smile on my face,” Ginn said. “I’m always upbeat, no matter what’s going on in my life. There is a time to joke and play, and a time to be serious. I just try to keep the morale of the team at a heartbeat and try to have a relationship with everybody.”
If tough times come, Ginn remembers what his friends and family tell him and hopes to encourage others with similar words.
“They always tell me to strive and push through and to work hard and do everything right,” Ginn said. “Coming from your family and friends, that is just spectacular. Everybody needs someone. Without family and friends you can’t do anything.”
