Thursday, October 17, 2002
Buckeyes seething over Wisconsin slight
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — What began as a joke between friends has become a subplot in this Saturday's game between No. 4 Ohio State and Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes could barely contain their anger Tuesday when discussing a picture signed by Wisconsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger that also read, “The Horseshoe. They built it. WE OWN IT.”
The Horseshoe is the nickname for Ohio Stadium, where the Badgers have beaten the Buckeyes the past two times. A year ago, Ohio State built a 17-0 lead only to have Wisconsin come back for a 20-17 victory.
Ohio State defensive lineman Kenny Peterson said he couldn't believe it when he saw what Bollinger had written.
“That's him,” Peterson said, choosing his words carefully. “He wants to say that, we have freedom of speech.”
Bollinger was stunned when Wisconsin sports-information director Justin Doherty told him about the controversy as Bollinger was going onto the practice field on Wednesday.
Bollinger had no comment — in fact he doesn't remember signing the picture.
The Ohio State fan who sent the picture to friends and fellow Buckeye fans, Susan Zeier, said it all began when her husband, who is a Wisconsin fan, received the photo in the mail. She said it was sent to her husband, David, by a college friend whom she would identify only as “Mike.”
“I won't give you his last name or he'll really kill us,” she said with a laugh.
Mike asked Bollinger at the Badgers' spring game to write the boasting comment and sign the picture, saying it was a joke that he was sending to David Zeier, a Wisconsin fan and fellow alumnus who lives in Sandusky, Ohio. Bollinger obliged.
David Zeier was going to throw the picture away but his wife decided it was a chance to make up for the times Mike had razzed her after Ohio State losses.
She mentioned the picture — a black-and-white photo of Bollinger torn from last year's Wisconsin media guide — in Ohio State football chat rooms, then took it to the Buckeyes' spring game where she showed it to several coaches and players. Head coach Jim Tressel hugged her and signed it, advising David to “Be a Buckeye.”
Asked about Bollinger's autograph on Tuesday, Ohio State linebacker Matt Wilhelm said it helped to “fuel the fire” for Saturday's game.
The Zeiers have not heard from their friend since the picture was circulated. They believe the friendship is over.
They plan to go to Wisconsin for the game and to take the framed picture.
“I'm going to have to put it in a protective cover so nobody destroys it,” Mrs. Zeier said.
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Buckeyes seething over Wisconsin slight