Happy Birthday, Brutus Buckeye! Beloved Ohio State Mascot Turns 55 Today
By Kelly Fisher
October 30, 2020
Happy birthday, Brutus Buckeye!
The beloved Ohio State University mascot turns 55 on Friday (October 30).
Brutus Buckeye — whom fans recently remembered for his viral 2010 brawl with Rufus the Bobcat of Ohio University, dubbed a “legendary and laughable” moment by ESPN — appeared for his first game on October 30, 1965, when Ohio squared off against Minnesota, according to cleveland.com.
It’s an unusual birthday for Brutus, however, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Brutus Buckeye was barred from Ohio Stadium for the season opener against Nebraska on October 24, along with the Ohio State marching band and cheerleaders, the Dayton Daily News reported on October 19.
Wish Brutus Buckeye a happy 55th birthday! He first appeared at a game on Oct. 30, 1965 as Ohio State played Minnesota. Photo: The Plain Dealer
Posted by cleveland.com on Friday, October 30, 2020
The Ohio State Athletic Department announced the changes in hopes of avoiding a COVID-19 outbreak. The stadium that can hold more than 102,000 fans is capped at 1,600 this year.
“COVID-19 cases are rising, including in Ohio," Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith said, "and we can’t have our games become virus-spreading events. So we’re sincerely asking our fans to avoid large watch parties, don’t come onto campus because there’s no tailgating anyway, and enjoy watching the Buckeyes with family or limited numbers of friends because, this year, every game is a home game.”
Photo: Getty Images