Ohio State All-American Guard Ted Smith Dies at 71 Years Old

The Ohio State community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected football legends, as Ted Smith, an All-American offensive guard who helped anchor the Buckeyes’ dominant offensive line during the 1970s, has died at 71 years old.

Smith passed away peacefully in his hometown of Alliance, Ohio, surrounded by family and loved ones, according to a statement released by the university. While the cause of death was not immediately made public, those close to the program noted that Smith had been dealing with health issues in recent years.

His passing marks the end of a chapter for Buckeye football—a reminder of an era defined by grit, loyalty, and unrelenting physicality. For those who played with or watched him, Ted Smith was the embodiment of everything that made Ohio State great: dependable, unselfish, and consistently excellent.

Born in 1953, Smith came of age in northeast Ohio, developing a love for football on the fields of Alliance High School. Recruited by legendary Buckeye coach Woody Hayes, Smith arrived in Columbus in the early 1970s, at a time when Ohio State was not only a national powerhouse but also a cultural institution. He earned a starting role at left guard by his sophomore year and never looked back.

Smith played during one of the most storied stretches in Buckeye history, from 1973 to 1975—a period that included back-to-back Heisman Trophy wins for running back Archie Griffin, four Big Ten titles, and multiple Rose Bowl appearances. As Griffin became a national icon, Smith was one of the key forces clearing the path. Time and again, it was Smith’s ability to create daylight through the heart of opposing defenses that made Griffin’s greatness possible.

“There is no me without Ted,” Griffin once said. “People remember the runs, but those holes were created by guys like Ted Smith. He was the anchor. He was the foundation.”

Smith was named a First-Team All-American in 1975, capping off a college career marked by durability, dominance, and total team commitment. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he was not the flashiest lineman, but he was known for his flawless technique, low pad level, and relentless motor. Week in and week out, he won his matchups with quiet precision.

Former teammates recall a man who was as disciplined off the field as he was on it. He was known to attend every film session early, often helping younger linemen understand blocking schemes and responsibilities. Smith rarely spoke to the media and almost never sought recognition—but within the locker room, his voice carried weight.

“He was the definition of a leader,” said fellow lineman Steve Myers. “He didn’t talk much, but when Ted said something, everyone listened.”

After graduating from Ohio State, Smith was selected in the 1976 NFL Draft but chose not to pursue a lengthy professional football career. Instead, he returned to his hometown, where he dedicated himself to family, coaching, and public service. He spent more than two decades as a high school teacher and offensive line coach, mentoring hundreds of young athletes—not just in football, but in life.

“He believed in fundamentals—on the field and as a person,” said one of his former players. “He taught us how to block, how to stand tall, how to keep promises. He was a coach and a father figure.”

Though he stepped away from the national spotlight, Smith remained a beloved figure in Columbus. He was a regular presence at Ohio State reunions, alumni tailgates, and spring games, where he’d smile quietly from the sidelines, occasionally offering a word of wisdom to the new generation of linemen wearing scarlet and gray.

In 2012, Smith was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, a long-overdue recognition for a player whose contributions helped shape the very identity of Buckeye football. The ceremony was attended by several of his former teammates, and Griffin delivered the keynote speech.

“Some players change the scoreboard,” Griffin said that night. “Ted Smith changed the standard.”

As word of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the Ohio State family. Former players, coaches, and university officials took to social media and campus memorials to honor Smith’s legacy. Flags flew at half-staff across the athletics department, and plans for a formal moment of silence at Ohio Stadium before the Buckeyes’ season opener are already underway.

“Ted Smith was a giant—on the field and in our hearts,” said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith (no relation). “He represented what this university is all about: strength, humility, and excellence.”

Coach Ryan Day, who has made it a priority to connect his players with the greats of the past, spoke emotionally about Smith during a press conference.

“Our players need to know about men like Ted Smith,” Day said. “Because greatness doesn’t always wear a spotlight. Sometimes, it wears number 64 and clears the way for legends. That’s Ted.”

Smith’s family released a brief statement thanking the Ohio State community for its love and support. “Ted was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a coach, and a Buckeye forever. He loved Ohio State, and he loved people. We are heartbroken but proud.”

His passing comes just months after Ohio State unveiled a statue of Archie Griffin outside Ohio Stadium. Smith had been invited to the ceremony, but was unable to attend due to declining health. Griffin, who remained close to his former teammate for decades, said he was crushed to hear the news.

“I lost a teammate,” Griffin said, “but more importantly, I lost a brother. We made history together. We walked through the fire together. And I’ll carry him with me for the rest of my life.”

The team that Smith helped build continues to flourish, year after year producing NFL stars, Big Ten champions, and national title contenders. But the heart of the program—its toughness, unity, and pride—was molded in those trenches by linemen like Ted Smith.

At 71, he leaves behind a legacy not defined by fame, but by impact. On the scoreboard. In the lives he touched. And in the long shadows cast by greatness done quietly.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Brenda, their three children—Andrew, Lisa, and Marcus—and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Alliance later this week, with a celebration of life scheduled on the Ohio State campus later this fall.

As the next season approaches, Buckeye players will take the field knowing that one of their great protectors has taken his final rest. But Ted Smith’s name will not be forgotten.

He will live on—in the traditions he helped forge, in the championships he helped win, and in the brotherhood that binds Buckeyes across generations.