He has a massive, oversized nut for a head. He wears a striped rugby shirt and a cheerleader's skirt. If you saw him in a dark alley, you’d probably run. But on a Saturday in Columbus? He’s basically a god. We’re talking about Brutus, the buckeye Ohio State mascot, a character that defies most traditional logic of what a sports mascot should be. While other Big Ten schools have fierce lions, angry badgers, or literal Spartans, Ohio State has... a poisonous seed.
It shouldn't work. It really shouldn't.
But honestly, that's the charm. Brutus Buckeye represents a level of state pride that’s borderline obsessive. If you aren't from Ohio, you might think it’s just a brown blob with eyes. If you are from Ohio, you know that the buckeye is more than a mascot; it's a cultural identity. It’s been that way since the mid-1960s, and the story of how a nut became a national icon is filled with weird pivots, a few design disasters, and a whole lot of scarlet and gray paint.
The Nut That Started It All
Ray Bourhis and Sally Huber. Those are the names you need to know if you want to understand where Brutus came from. In 1965, Ohio State didn't have a mascot. Not really. They had a real dog for a while, a bull terrier named Chris, but that didn't stick. Bourhis and Huber, two students with way too much initiative, decided the school needed a symbol. They didn't want a person in a suit. At first, they actually wanted a giant, fiberglass buckeye.
They built it. It was heavy. It was awkward.
The original Brutus was basically a papier-mâché and fiberglass shell that sat on a student’s shoulders. It looked less like a friendly mascot and more like something out of a low-budget 1950s sci-fi movie. It was roughly five feet wide. Imagine trying to navigate the sidelines of a packed Ohio Stadium wearing a giant hard-shell nut. It was a logistical nightmare. Eventually, the athletic department realized that if they wanted this thing to actually move and interact with people, they needed something a bit more... flexible.
The transition from a "statue" to a "costume" happened pretty fast because, let's be real, you can't do a backflip in a fiberglass shell. By the late 60s, the design started shifting toward the "blockhead" look we recognize today. Well, sorta. There was a period in the 70s where Brutus looked notably different—sometimes thinner, sometimes with a weirdly human face—before settling into the round-headed, perpetually grinning figure we see on the sidelines now.
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Is a Buckeye Actually Dangerous?
People joke about the buckeye Ohio State mascot being soft because it’s a plant. Don’t tell that to a botanist. The Aesculus glabra, or the Ohio Buckeye tree, produces a nut that is technically toxic. It contains tannic acid and certain glucosides that can be pretty nasty if ingested.
Native Americans actually used to roast and mash the nuts to create a powder that would stun fish in streams, making them easier to catch. So, in a weird way, the mascot is actually a biological weapon. It’s also said that carrying a buckeye in your pocket brings good luck, a tradition that thousands of fans still follow today. If you walk through the Tailgate lots at any home game, you’ll see necklaces made of real buckeyes everywhere. They’re heavy, they’re scratchy, and they’re essential.
The Evolution of the Look
If you look at photos of Brutus from the 1980s, you'll notice he looked a bit more "cutesy." The eyebrows were different. The hat was different. The modern Brutus is built for athleticism. The students who wear the suit—and yes, there are usually several who rotate—have to be in peak physical condition. It's not just about waving. It's about the push-ups.
After every Ohio State score, Brutus does a set of push-ups equal to the total number of points the Buckeyes have on the board. In a blowout game where OSU hangs 60 or 70 points on an opponent? That student is getting a serious chest workout. It’s grueling. The suit is hot, the head is heavy, and the vision is limited.
- 1965: The fiberglass era. Heavy, stiff, and weird.
- 1975: The "Big Head" era. Moving toward fabric, but still very bulky.
- 1980s-90s: The normalization. The striped shirt becomes the permanent uniform.
- Modern Day: High-performance materials. Brutus can now perform complex gymnastics and interact with high-tech stadium media.
There was even a brief, terrifying moment in the early 2000s when a "modernized" Brutus was proposed. Fans hated it. They wanted the classic, slightly goofy nut they grew up with. The university listened. You don't mess with tradition in Columbus.
Why the Rivalry Makes Brutus Better
You can't talk about the buckeye Ohio State mascot without talking about that school up north. Michigan. The rivalry defines everything about Ohio State sports, and Brutus is often the primary target for Wolverine fans. There have been several "mascot scuffles" over the years, though most are choreographed or lighthearted.
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But for the fans, Brutus is the frontline defender. When he runs onto the field with the "Power of the South" band, the energy in the "Shoe" (Ohio Stadium) is unlike anything else in college sports. It’s the contrast that makes it work. Michigan doesn't even have a live mascot or a costumed one. They claim they don't need a "gimmick." Ohio State fans counter that Michigan is just boring. Brutus is the life of the party.
The Secrets of the "Nut"
Being Brutus is a secret. Usually.
The students who play the role are instructed not to tell anyone. They don't speak while in character. They have a specific walk—a kind of bouncy, energetic stride—that they have to master so that no matter which student is in the suit, Brutus always looks like the same person. It’s a bit like being a superhero with a secret identity. When they graduate, they finally get to reveal themselves, often wearing the "Brutus shoes" during the commencement ceremony.
It’s a massive commitment. You aren't just at the football games. You're at the volleyball matches, the wrestling meets, the charity events at the local children's hospital, and the alumni dinners. Brutus is a 365-day-a-year job.
What People Get Wrong About the Mascot
The biggest misconception? That he's a chestnut. He's not.
While they look similar, the Ohio Buckeye is distinct. Chestnuts are edible; buckeyes will make you sick. It's a fitting metaphor for the football team—looks harmless enough from a distance, but can be quite painful if you're not careful. Another common mistake is thinking Brutus is a "he" in the biological sense. He's a nut. But in the hearts of the Buckeye faithful, he's definitely a "he," a teammate, and a symbol of everything great about the Midwest.
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Honestly, the buckeye Ohio State mascot succeeds because he doesn't try to be cool. He knows he's a nut. He knows the striped shirt is a bit much. But he leans into it with 100% effort. That's the Ohio way. Work hard, don't take yourself too seriously, and always, always beat Michigan.
How to Experience Brutus Properly
If you're planning a trip to Columbus to see the most famous nut in the world, you can't just show up at kickoff. You'll miss half the fun.
First, you need to head to the Skull Session. This happens at St. John Arena a few hours before the game. It’s part pep rally, part concert by the Best Damn Band in the Land (TBDBITL). Brutus is always there, getting the crowd hyped. It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and it’s the best place to see the mascot up close without a stadium fence in the way.
Next, watch the ramp entry. When the band marches down the ramp and into the stadium, Brutus is right there with them. The synchronization is incredible. If you're lucky, you'll see him lead the stadium in the "O-H-I-O" chant. It’s a simple four-letter chant, but when 100,000 people are doing it in unison, it literally shakes the ground.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Visitors
If you're looking to bring a piece of the mascot magic home, or just want to fit in like a local, here's the play:
- Buy the real deal: Don't settle for plastic buckeye necklaces. Look for the vendors selling necklaces made from actual dried nuts. They have a weight and a smell (slightly earthy) that the cheap knock-offs can't match.
- The "Buckeye Candy" must-try: You cannot visit Ohio without eating a Buckeye. It's a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate, made to look exactly like the nut. They are delicious, sugary, and 100% non-toxic. Anthony-Thomas is the big commercial brand in the area, but the best ones are usually found at local bake sales or small-town candy shops.
- Photo Ops: If you see Brutus on campus, be polite. He won't talk back, so don't expect a conversation. Just give him a high-five or a "thumbs up" and he'll usually pose for a quick snap.
- Learn the Song: You don't need to know every word of "Across the Field," but you better know when to yell "Fight, Fight, Fight!" If you don't, the fans around you will know you're a tourist.
The buckeye Ohio State mascot isn't just a guy in a suit; he's the focal point of a massive, scarlet-colored family. Whether he's doing push-ups in the end zone or high-fiving a five-year-old in the stands, Brutus is the heart of Columbus. He’s weird, he’s round, and he’s exactly what Ohio State needs.
To truly understand the legacy, your next step is to look into the history of "The Best Damn Band in the Land" (TBDBITL). The relationship between Brutus and the marching band is a cornerstone of the game-day experience, and understanding their traditions, like the "Dotting of the I," will give you the full picture of why Ohio State fans are so passionate about their traditions. Check out the official Ohio State Athletics archives or visit the Ohio State University's library digital collections for deep-dive photos of the original 1965 fiberglass Brutus costume.