An Ohio legend has passed away.
Ken Fritz, a former Ironton High School and Ohio State football standout, died on Tuesday. He was 66.
Deeply saddened to learn the passing of Former Ironton Great and (HoF) Ken Fritz. Ken was a star for Ironton High and later signed @OhioStateFB where he went on to become a consensus 1979 All-American with the Buckeyes. Ken was then drafted in the 10th round by the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/66bCHT1NKi
— Ironton Football (@FootballIronton) February 6, 2024
Fritz was born on Nov. 21, 1957, in Southeastern Ohio. He graduated from Ironton High School, where he lettered three times for the football team. In 1975, he was named the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League Co-Player of the Year and Associated Press Ohio Class AA Lineman of the Year.
From 1976-79, Fritz lettered for the Ohio State football team under Woody Hayes in 1976, 1977 and 1978 and Earle Bruce in 1979. He was an All-Big Ten selection in his final two seasons and was a consensus All-American as a senior – a year in which the Buckeyes went 11-0 in the regular season before a 17-16 loss to No. 3 USC in the Rose Bowl.
While Fritz was well-known for his Ohio State accomplishments in between the white lines, he was also known for his role in a moment that occurred outside of them. At the end of the 1978 season, Fritz restrained Hayes after he punched Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman in the Gator Bowl.
Television footage and photos appeared to show Hayes also punched Fritz. However, the Milwaukee Journal quoted Fritz saying Hayes "was just trying to wrestle his way free" and "didn't want anyone to restrain him."
After Fritz's Ohio State career ended, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the 10th round (No. 277 overall) of the 1980 NFL draft.
