Ohio State standouts Howard, Sawyer trade helmets for headsets at Raising Cane's
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pair of college football national champions brought their winning pedigree to a Columbus area business Wednesday morning.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and defensive end Jack Sawyer donned a pair of headsets, not to call football plays, but to take orders of chicken fingers.
Howard and Sawyer, fresh off an Ohio State victory over Notre Dame in the CFP Championship in Atlanta, bagged orders, served customers, buttered some toast and signed autographs for dozens of fans, who waited in sub-zero temperatures outside of Raising Cane’s on Olentangy River Road, just north of the Ohio State campus.
The duo worked the drive-thru at the Riverview area location, where Buckeyes fans waited in a line out the door and around the restaurant to meet and greet Howard, the offensive MVP for the game at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and future 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick Sawyer. The players signed miniature footballs, commemorative footballs, t-shirts, and hats before their morning shift.
Brutus joined the festivities, as did star linebacker J.T. Tuimoloau, who popped in for a bite to eat and also signed memorabilia. The event at Cane’s is one of several this week in celebration of the Buckeyes winning their ninth NCAA football championship.
Just after OSU secured its ninth championship, students stormed the field at Ohio Stadium, in frigid weather, which was followed by a welcome home celebration when the team returned to its practice facility Tuesday afternoon.
On Thursday fans will have two chances to see the trophy, starting at the Meijer on 100 Polaris Parkway in Westerville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, the trophy will be at the Giant Eagle on 840 West 3rd Avenue near Ohio State’s campus.
The playoff trophy will be at the Kroger on 12116 Sycamore Trace Friday in Plain City from 4 to 7 p.m.
An official championship celebration is scheduled for Sunday at noon at the Horseshoe. The event and parking will be free.