Ken Fritz
| Born: | November 21, 1957 Ironton, Ohio, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | February 6, 2024 (aged 66) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | G |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 238 lb (108 kg) |
| College | Ohio State University |
| High school | Ironton |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1976–1979 | Ohio State |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Ken Fritz (November 21, 1957 – February 6, 2024) was an American college football player who was a guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was recognized as a consensus All-American in 1979.
Early life
[edit]Fritz was born on November 21, 1957, in Ironton, Ohio.[1] He graduated from Ironton High School,[2] where he played on the football team and lettered three times.[2] In 1975, he earned several honors including being named Southeastern Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL) Co-Player of the Year and Associated Press Ohio Class AA Lineman of the Year.[2]
College career
[edit]Fritz played and lettered for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team under coaches Woody Hayes during the 1976, 1977 and 1978 seasons and Earle Bruce in the 1979 season.[2][3] He made All-Big Ten team in both the 1978 and 1979 seasons.[2] At the end of the 1978 season Fritz restrained his coach Woody Hayes after he punched Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman of Clemson University in the Gator Bowl.[4] The television replay and several still photos also show Hayes punching Fritz as he restrained him, but Fritz at the time denied that he was punched.[4] Fritz said “…He was just trying to wrestle his way free. He didn’t want anyone to restrain him.”[4] In 1979, his senior season, he helped the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship with a perfect 11–0 regular season record, and a berth in the Rose Bowl.[2][5] Following his senior year, as a 6-foot, 3-inch, 238-pound guard, he was recognized as a consensus All-American, having received first-team honors from several publications and organizations, including the Associated Press and United Press International.[6] Fritz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round (277 overall selection) of the 1980 NFL draft.[7]
Death
[edit]Fritz died on February 6, 2024, at the age of 66.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ken Fritz". nfl.com. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Walker, Jim (January 10, 2013). "Ironton inaugural Hall of Fame dinner set". Ironton Tribune. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "Ohio State Letterwinners" (PDF). Ohio State. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ a b c Salituro, Chuck (October 19, 1979). "Woody's Punch is Still With the Buckeyes". Milwaukee Journal. Vol. 97, no. 334. Milwaukee, WI: Newspaper Inc. pp. 11 Part 2. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "1979 Football Season". Ohio State. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ 2014 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners Archived November 26, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, pp. 4 & 14 (2014). Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "1980 Pittsburgh Steelers: Drafted players". pro-football-reference. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ Spinner, Caleb (February 6, 2024). "Ohio State Legend Ken Fritz Passes Away at the Age of 66". Si. Retrieved February 7, 2024.