44 long, tedious and boring days until Ohio State starts the 2018 season by hosting Oregon State. Thankfully, we have been spared from negative news from the players and staff this offseason...

If you want something positive to read, below you will find a list of the 41 players who wore No. 44 for the Buckeyes. Today's featured players are Dick LeBeau and Ray Griffin.

Today's Trivia Question

A. Brothers
B. Cousins
C. Uncle/Nephew
D. They Are Not Related

*Wore another number at Ohio State
Did not earn a varsity letter while wearing No. 44

Dick LeBeau, DB (1956-58)
Born: 1937 (London, Ohio)
High School: London

Ohio State:
The Buckeyes were 21-5-2 with LeBeau on the team.
1957 National Champion.
1957 Big Ten Title.
Went 2-1 against That Team.

Honors:
1954 High School Football All-American.
1964 Pro Bowl.
1965 Pro Bowl.
1965 1st-Team All-Conference.
1966 Pro Bowl.
2005 Won Super Bowl XL as a coach.
2008 Won Super Bowl XLIII as a coach.
2008 Sporting News Coordinator of the Year.
2009 Inducted into the Varsity O Hall of Fame
2010 Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2013 Inducted into the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame.

LeBeau's Ohio State  and NFL career per ohiostatebuckeyes.com:

A member of Ohio State’s 1957 national championship team, the legendary Dick LeBeau has spent a remarkable 51 seasons in the National Football League as a player and coach, participating in 786 NFL games. On February 6, 2010, LeBeau was selected into the 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

LeBeau, a native of London, Ohio, played 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions, setting an NFL record for 171 consecutive games played at cornerback. The NFL interception leader in 1970 and a three-time Pro Bowler, his 62 career picks still rank 7th best in league history.

As a coach, however, LeBeau’s achievements are even more significant. The architect of the zone blitz, his innovations have brought changes to every aspect of defensive football. Serving as an assistant coach with Philadelphia, Green Bay, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, and was also the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2000-02.

A coach with 10 division championship teams, he has coached in five Super Bowls, winning twice, most recently as defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

Ray Griffin, S (1974-77)
Born: 1956 (Columbus)
High School: Eastmoor

Ohio State:
The Buckeyes were 39-8 with Griffin on the team.
1974 Big Ten Title.
1975 Big Ten Title.
1976 Big Ten Title.
1977 Big Ten Title.
1977 Defeated Colorado 27-10 to win the Orange Bowl.
Griffin's interception in The Game in 1975 set up the winning touchdown.

Honors:
1977 Captain.
1977 All-American.
1977 All-Big Ten.
2012 Inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Griffin's Ohio State career per The Ohio State Team Guide:

5-9, 180...from Columbus...named defensive co-captain for 1977 by his teammates...the best all-around athlete on a talented squad...the fastest man on the team...a first team all-Big Ten selection and a second team All-American last year...started all 24 games his sophomore and junior years at Ohio State...was a reserve tailback as a freshman in 1974.

An excellent tackler...had 48 solo tackles and 34 assists in 1977...raced 65 yards to score after taking a lateral from Nick Buonamici on a pass interception against Indiana...his dramatic interception return in the 1975 Michigan game turned defeat into victory...majoring in business...hobby is painting...admires O.J. Simpson...one of the top defensive backs in college football.

Griffin's career per ohiostatebuckeyes.com:

Ray Griffin, a three-year starter and four-year Varsity O letterwinner for the Ohio State football team from 1974-77, was a First Team All-American and team captain as a safety in 1977. A First Team All-Big Ten selection in 1977, Griffin helped lead the Buckeyes to four-consecutive Big Ten championships, two Rose Bowl appearances, one Sugar Bowl appearance and an Orange Bowl appearance.

Ohio State went 29-6-1 in Griffin's three seasons as a starter, allowing only 102 points in the 1975 campaign. Griffin recorded 192 tackles in his three seasons in the OSU defensive backfield. He played in the Hula Bowl following his senior season before going on to play seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League. Griffin is the younger brother of former two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. 

The game was tied 14-14 late in the fourth quarter when Ray Griffin made this game-winning interception. From OurHonorDefend.com and Youtube.com

*Dixon wore No. 73 when drafted.

Today's Trivia Question

How is Ray Griffin related to Archie Griffin?
A. Brother
B. Cousin
C. Uncle/Nephew
D. They Are Not Related

127 days until The Game.