Eric Boggs
For Carnell Tate, football isn’t just a game—it’s a promise. A promise to his late mother, Ashley Griggs, whose love and belief in her son continue to drive every route he runs and every touchdown he scores for Ohio State. What began as a boy’s dream on the west side of Chicago has become one of the most powerful stories in college football—a story of loss, love, and resilience.
Tate grew up in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood, surrounded by the harsh realities of drugs, gangs, and violence. Through it all, his mother was his constant light, his best friend, and his greatest supporter. “She was probably louder than the cheerleaders,” Astoria Griggs, Tate’s aunt said, smiling as she recalled how her sister celebrated every big play her nephew had on the football field. Their bond was unbreakable, their connection rare. “I could talk to her like she was my sister,” Tate admitted. “She was my rock.”
That world shattered in July 2023, when Ashley was killed in a drive-by shooting at just 40 years old. Tate was on campus in Columbus when he received the news. “I felt like my world ended at that moment,” he said. “She was my reason why.” The grief was overwhelming—but in the darkness, Tate found strength through his teammates and coaches, who surrounded him with unwavering support. “First thing I told him was, I’m here for you, whatever you need,” teammate Brandon Inniss explained. “I got your back, always.”
Instead of letting tragedy define him, Tate chose to let it inspire him. Every time he crosses the goal line, he blows a kiss to the sky—a silent message to his mom: I made it. I love you. Thank you for believing in me.
That message rang louder than ever when Ohio State traveled to Chicago in November 2024 to play Northwestern at Wrigley Field. With family and friends in attendance, Tate delivered a storybook performance, hauling in two touchdowns in a 31–7 Buckeye victory. As he blew a kiss skyward after each score, the entire stadium seemed to pause—a powerful reminder that love endures, even through heartbreak.
Now a junior, Tate has evolved into one of college football’s most dynamic receivers. Through eight games this season, he’s caught 39 passes for 711 yards and seven touchdowns, leading Ohio State in explosive plays and providing a steady target for quarterback Julian Sayin. His precise route-running, elite hands, and toughness through contact have drawn comparisons to the Buckeyes’ recent lineage of first-round receivers, including Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Head coach Ryan Day often points to Tate as a model of perseverance and maturity. “The things he’s endured and the way he’s handled himself—he’s one of the most impressive young men I’ve ever coached,” Day said.
Tate’s story goes beyond football. It’s a reflection of the power of faith, family, and purpose. His aunt, says it best: “Grief is a journey. It doesn’t have an expiration date. But Carnell plays like he’s supposed to play—because he knows she’s still with him.”
For Carnell Tate, every practice, every catch, every touchdown is more than a statistic—it’s a tribute. A living, breathing promise to a mother whose love still guides him. And as he continues to climb toward his NFL future, there’s little doubt that Tate will add his name to Ohio State’s remarkable first-round tradition, carrying his mother’s memory with him every step of the way.
She always told him to chase his dreams. He’s doing exactly that.
