ShareTweetThe great Orlando Pace of The Ohio State University who reigned havoc on opposing defenses from 1994-1996, doing likewise in the NFL, primarily with the St. Louis Rams before ending a fabled 13-year career in the Pro’s was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The announcement came Saturday evening during the “NFL Honors” event in San Francisco. The honor has added to the prestige for the Buckeyes and former players’ contributions to the NFL. Orlando is the eighth former player for The Ohio State University to be elected to the Pro Football of Fame and the eleventh overall. Other players have been: Cris Carter (Class of 2013), Dick LeBeau (2010), Paul Warfield (1993), Bill Willis (1977), Dante Lavelli (1975), Lou Groza (1974) and Jim Parker (1973). Ohio State Coaches Sid Gillman (1983) and Paul Brown (1967), along with 1930’s era swimmer Ed Sabol (2011) for his work with NFL Films, are also in the Hall of Fame. After his dominance in High School football out of Sandusky, Ohio Orlando travelled south to Columbus where he continued to rule at the next level. For the Buckeyes the moment he stepped onto the field he was a starter. Other outstanding accomplishments followed: • In 1995 Orlando would become the first sophomore to win theLombardi Award.• In 1996 he’d repeat – becoming the first to ever win the LombardiAward twice.• In 1995 and 1996 he was a first-team consensus All-American.• He was also first-team All-Big Ten Conference in 1995 & 1996.• In 1996 he would wind up in the top 4 vote getters for the Heisman;not since OSU’s John Hicks way back in 1972 had this beenaccomplished• Orlando was the first overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft – going tothe St. Louis Rams Pace would start every OSU game – 38 total between 1994-96 before bypassing his senior year to enter the NFL Draft. The 6’6”, 330-pound Pace helped to institute what has become known as the “pancake block”…
Continue Reading: Orlando Pace is heading to Canton
