Incredible Buckeye attendance streak broken by death

Ohio State lost one of their oldest and luckiest charms recently. After a 74 year home-game attendance streak, John Crawford will not be in the Shoe at the home opener against Oklahoma this Saturday.

Eighty-six-year-old Crawford succumbed to a blood disorder and died in hospice care Wednesday night, reports The Dispatch.

His love for the Buckeyes began on November 13, 1943. Crawford was 12 and Ohio State had just beaten Illinois. After that, he became a stadium vendor, then a student at the university, then an OSU cheerleader, then a tenant on the second floor of the one and only Varsity Club.

Later in life, he worked in local theater and television and went on to teach at Fort Hayes High School; all while attending every single home Buckeye game.

Crawford’s adoration for the Buckeyes was nothing short of amazing. He was the poster child for the pride of OSU and will be deeply missed.

Rest easy, John Crawford, we’ll sing “Carmen Ohio” extra loudly for you.

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