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Meet the Brutus who crossed out the Michigan 'M'
TL;DR
Jeff Moody, initially hesitant about attending Ohio State University, became Brutus Buckeye after transferring from the Mansfield campus. Encouraged by his father, he pursued tryouts and committed to the role as a fourth-generation Buckeye.
Key points
- Jeff Moody is from Fredericktown, Ohio.
- He became Brutus Buckeye during his time at Ohio State University.
- Moody's father encouraged him to apply to Ohio State.
- He transferred to the main campus to fulfill mascot requirements.
Mentioned in this story
Jeff MoodyOhio State UniversityFredericktown, Ohio
Going to Ohio State University was never an ambition for Jeff Moody, let alone being Brutus Buckeye.
Moody wanted to stay close to his rural Ohio home of Fredericktown in Knox County. But his dad encouraged him to apply to Ohio State and become a fourth-generation Buckeye.
Nearing the end of his freshman year at Ohio Stateās Mansfield campus, Moody learned about Brutus tryouts.
He drove to the Columbus campus multiple times a week that spring. Brutus team members have to be full-time students at OSUās main campus, so after making the team, Moody made plans to transfer.
His three years of being Brutus were marked by volunteer events, bowl games and a College Football Playoff national championship ring.
But Moodyās greatest hope for his senior year was to be Brutus at The Game, something he accomplished last November in Ann Arbor.
Moody was buzzing from the minute he woke up that morning to the moment he walked down the tunnel into the Big House. He could feel the energy. He didnāt want to leave that game with any regrets, he said.
During a timeout late in the third quarter, Moody pulled off a now-legendary stunt.
He ran into the end zone and shuffled over the "M" in Michigan with his feet, leaving a massive "X" in the snow. He marched to the sideline and walked a Script Ohio into the snow in the red zone, jumping onto the field to dot the āiā. Then he ran over the "M" one more time for good measure.
Moody didnāt realize just how many people saw his antics until someone from FOX Sports came over and told him that Brutus was going viral. When he finally turned on his phone after the game, it was exploding with messages from the small crew of people who knew his secret.
It was a moment Moody said heāll never forget.
āGetting to do something that leaves just a little bit of a mark on this rivalry that Iāve grown up watching is probably one of the proudest things Iāve ever done,ā Moody said. āI look back on it and Iām like, I canāt believe I got to be a part of that.ā
Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jeff Moody, a graduating Brutus, crossed out the M at Michigan Stadium
Q&A
Who is Jeff Moody and what role did he take at Ohio State University?
Jeff Moody is a student who became Brutus Buckeye, the mascot for Ohio State University, after transferring from the Mansfield campus.
What motivated Jeff Moody to apply to Ohio State University?
Jeff Moody was encouraged by his father to apply to Ohio State University to continue the family legacy as a fourth-generation Buckeye.
What are the requirements to be a Brutus Buckeye mascot?
To be a Brutus Buckeye mascot, candidates must be full-time students at Ohio State University's main campus.
