He is a giant nut. Honestly, if you step back and look at it objectively, having a six-foot-tall perennial seed with a permanent grin as the face of a billion-dollar athletic program is a little weird. But in Columbus, Brutus is king. The Ohio State University mascot isn't just a guy in a suit; he’s a cultural institution that survived a literal assassination attempt by a live wolf and multiple identity crises.
You see him on the sidelines of the Shoe, high-fiving kids and doing those iconic head-spins that look like they’d give a normal person a massive concussion. But the road to becoming Brutus Buckeye wasn't a straight line. It involved cardboard boxes, a brief stint with a live animal that almost went horribly wrong, and a decades-long evolution of fiberglass and foam.
The 1965 Cardboard Experiment
Back in the early 60s, Ohio State was one of the few schools without a mascot. They had the band. They had the colors. They didn't have a face. In 1965, Ray Bourhis and Sally Huber, two students who probably had no idea they were creating a multi-million dollar brand, decided the school needed a symbol.
They didn't start with professional costume designers. They started with a local block O. But quickly, the idea shifted toward the buckeye nut. The very first iteration of the Ohio State University mascot was actually made of papier-mâché and cardboard. It was heavy. It was clunky. It looked sort of like a giant brown egg with eyes.
On October 30, 1965, this proto-Brutus made its debut at the homecoming game against Minnesota. People loved it. Well, mostly. The problem with papier-mâché is that it doesn't handle the Ohio elements particularly well. If it rained, Brutus was in trouble.
Why a Nut?
Some people think a "Buckeye" is just a nickname, but it’s actually a specific tree, Aesculus glabra. The seeds look like a deer’s eye—hence "buck eye." Indigenous peoples and early settlers in the Ohio River Valley found the wood useful, but the nuts themselves are actually toxic if eaten raw. So, essentially, the Ohio State University mascot is a poisonous nut. It’s a bold choice for a sports team, but it fits the gritty, defensive-heavy reputation of Big Ten football.
The Great Wolf Failure of 1970
There’s a weird piece of history most casual fans forget. For a brief, chaotic moment in 1970, the university tried to introduce a live animal mascot. They didn't go with a deer or something peaceful. They went with a wolf.
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Specifically, it was a Timber Wolf named "Buckeye." The idea was that a live predator would bring more "edge" to the sidelines than a smiling nut. It was a disaster. The wolf was stressed by the 80,000 screaming fans, the loud music of the Best Damn Band in the Land, and the general chaos of a Saturday in Columbus.
It reportedly bit a few people and spent most of its time trying to hide. The experiment lasted about as long as a bad offensive coordinator’s tenure. By the end of the season, the wolf was out, and the nut was back. It turns out, a smiling fiberglass head is much easier to manage than a literal apex predator.
The Anatomy of the Modern Brutus
If you look at Brutus today, he’s remarkably consistent. He wears the red and white striped jersey (usually with "00" on the back), gray pants, and that massive head. But the head has changed a lot.
In the 70s and 80s, the Ohio State University mascot looked a bit more "menacing." The eyes were smaller, the smile was thinner, and he looked like he might have seen some things he couldn't talk about. By the time we hit the 2000s, the design softened. He became the friendly, approachable figure we see today.
How Do You Become the Nut?
It’s not just about being tall and liking football. Being the Ohio State University mascot is an actual athletic endeavor. The tryout process is grueling.
- You have to be a full-time student.
- You have to maintain a solid GPA.
- You must demonstrate "The Walk"—that specific, swaggering strut that Brutus uses.
- Tumbling and fitness are non-negotiable.
The students who play Brutus are kept secret. It’s a "Clark Kent" situation. They don't tell their friends. They don't post about it on social media while they're active. They show up to games, put on the suit, and become a symbol. Only at the end of their senior year, during the final home game or at a special "unmasking," do they get to wear the Brutus shoes with their real face showing.
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Brutus in the Crosshairs: Rivalries and Close Calls
Being the face of Ohio State makes you a target. Especially when "That Team Up North" is involved. Brutus has been the victim of countless pranks and a few genuine scares.
In 2010, there was a famous incident where the mascot was tackled by a cheerleader from another team during a game. In 2006, during the "Game of the Century" against Michigan, the tension was so high that Brutus required a security detail. People genuinely want to mess with the nut.
But it’s not just rivals. In 2014, Brutus was part of a hilarious but terrifying viral moment where he was "attacked" by a giant inflatable Rufus the Bobcat (the Ohio University mascot). Rufus ran across the field and leveled Brutus. It was a planned stunt by the OU student playing Rufus, but it underscored just how much people love to hate—or just tackle—the Ohio State University mascot.
The Mascot Hall of Fame
Brutus isn't just a local hero. In 2007, he was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. He’s won UCA (United Cheerleaders Association) National Championships. He’s appeared in those iconic "This is SportsCenter" commercials, often playing the straight man to the absurdity of the ESPN offices. He is, quite literally, one of the most recognizable figures in American sports.
Beyond the Football Field
While 100,000 people see him on Saturdays in the fall, Brutus works year-round. He’s at volleyball matches, wrestling meets, and local charity events. He’s a regular at the James Cancer Hospital, visiting patients and bringing a bit of that Columbus spirit to people having a rough time.
This is where the Ohio State University mascot actually matters. The football games are the spectacle, but the community work is the substance. There is something about that ridiculous, oversized head that makes people smile, even in high-stress environments.
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The Financials of a Nut
You might wonder if Brutus is a "pro." While the students don't get a professional salary, they often receive scholarships. The "Brutus Buckeye Scholarship" helps cover the costs of tuition for the students who dedicate hundreds of hours a year to the role. It’s a fair trade for the amount of sweat lost inside that fiberglass head during a humid September game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Brutus
A common misconception is that Brutus is a "he." While the character is male-presenting, the students inside the suit have historically included women. The suit doesn't care about gender; it only cares about energy and the ability to do a head-spin without vomiting.
Another myth? That the head is heavy. Early versions were brutal on the neck, but modern materials have made the head relatively light—though it’s still hot as an oven inside. On a 90-degree day in the Shoe, the temperature inside the Ohio State University mascot suit can easily hit 110 degrees or higher. These students are high-level athletes who have to manage hydration like they're running a marathon.
How to Experience the Brutus Magic
If you’re heading to Columbus, you can’t just expect Brutus to find you. He’s a busy nut.
- Skull Session: Head to St. John Arena before the game. The band plays, the team walks through, and Brutus is usually there firing up the crowd. It’s free and arguably more intense than the game itself.
- The South Stands: During the game, Brutus spends a lot of time near the student section. If you want a photo, that’s your best bet, but don't expect him to break character. Brutus doesn't talk. Ever.
- The Mirror Lake Jump: While the university has cracked down on this tradition for safety reasons, Brutus was historically a fixture at the annual winter jump.
If you want to bring a piece of him home, the "Buckeye Candy" (chocolate-covered peanut butter balls) is the unofficial edible version of the mascot. Just don't eat the actual nuts from the trees outside the stadium. Seriously. They’re toxic.
The Ohio State University mascot represents more than just a school. He’s a link between the 1960s cardboard-and-glue origins and the high-tech, billion-dollar era of modern NIL athletics. He’s the constant. Coaches come and go. Quarterbacks transfer. But the nut remains.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Photo Ops: Follow the official Brutus social media accounts on game day; they often post "Brutus sightings" or locations where he’ll be appearing for public photos.
- The "O-H-I-O" Pose: If you get a photo with him, be ready to do the arms. He will prompt you. Don't be the person who just stands there awkwardly.
- Respect the Suit: Never try to pull the head off. It’s a major violation of university protocol and will get you booted from the stadium faster than a fumbled snap.
- Scholarship Support: If you’re an alum, you can actually donate specifically to the mascot scholarship fund to help the students who spend their Saturdays sweating in the suit.
Brutus Buckeye is a weird, wonderful, and slightly nonsensical part of college football history. Whether he's leading the team out of the tunnel or doing a head-spin on the 50-yard line, he is the heartbeat of Columbus.