Mecah Hannah
By Mecah Hannah
The Columbus Aviators have a unique opportunity to be something special not only for the capital city but for the entire state itself. Ohio has been starved for success for a long time, especially when it comes to professional football. Personally, as a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan, I have always marveled at our in-state professional football teams’ inability to capitalize on the talent factory that is the Ohio State program.
The Aviators can change all that, and it has already started with the appointment of Buckeye legend Ted Ginn Jr. as head coach. Ginn’s résumé, I believe, speaks for itself in all stages of his career, from high school at Glenville, where he used his instincts and speed to be an elite, route-jumping defensive back with a penchant for intercepting the football. He grew into an even greater phenom in college, though, on the opposite side of the ball. When his time as a Buckeye was through, he had totaled over 4,000 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns, including six punt-return scores (a school record) and two kickoff-return TDs.
The former first-rounder maintained that skill set throughout his 14-year NFL career. He has also participated in youth camps all across the state, cultivating ties throughout every level of the sport. Ginn may be inexperienced as a head coach, but I believe his history and pedigree will serve him well. Let’s face it—he won’t have any trouble winning over his home fans, most of whom were already rooting for him, myself included.
The head coach isn’t the only former Buckeye you’ll see representing the Aviators. Offensive lineman Matt Jones and tight end Gee Scott Jr. will get the chance to reignite their professional dreams. Jones was a top center coming out of high school in New York, and though his career wasn’t as heralded as some may have thought, he grew into a stalwart right guard with the fortitude to play through injuries. He is also one of the few players to letter five times at Ohio State, and he was voted second-team All–Big Ten. I don’t think his tank is empty; he’s still relatively young at age 26.
A similar story applies to Gee Scott Jr., a former top-100 wide receiver in high school. He decided to make the transition to tight end, where, after some growing pains, he came into his own and became a dependable asset to his team, making big plays—including a 30-yard reception against Oregon in the Rose Bowl during Ohio State’s historic national championship run. Gee is also known for being a spiritual leader capable of bringing teammates together.
In conclusion, the Aviators have a few Buckeye leaders in the cockpit, and I’m certain this is only the beginning—and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Buckeye Nation has always fervently supported our players no matter where they’ve ended up once their time in Columbus is over, and now it doesn’t have to end at all. The Aviators can provide a chance at professional success not only for the players but also take an already football-crazed fan base to new heights.
