Brutus Buckeye Turns 60: A Celebration of Tradition
Honoring Sixty Years of Spirit
At HOMAGE, we celebrate the icons who make fandom feel alive — the players, teams, and moments that connect
generations. Brutus Buckeye, one of the most beloved collegiate mascots, has been doing that for sixty straight seasons, with a spirit that never fades and a grin that never quits.
For every fan, Brutus Buckeye represents something personal. The high-five on the concourse. The photo that’s been on the fridge for twenty years. The smile that greets every new generation of Buckeyes.
He’s the constant through decades of change, proof that Ohio State pride is as much about people as it is about wins and the joy that the Buckeye community is built on.
To honor his 60th birthday, we’re celebrating with the Brutus Buckeye Collection — apparel built for fans who’ve cheered through every era.
Here's to sixty years of our favorite Buckeye.
Celebrating the Buckeye who’s been bringing energy, laughter, and heart to Ohio State since 1965.
There’s a certain kind of magic that lives in Columbus every fall Saturday. The sound of the band dotting the I, the sea of scarlet, the hum that builds before kickoff. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there’s the energy of Brutus Buckeye.
For former Brutus Buckeye Emily Hayward, that energy was something she could feel from the inside out. “Becoming Brutus Buckeye gave me the opportunity to meet so many individuals that I never would have crossed paths with otherwise,” Emily said.
“The energy that Brutus Buckeye carries is contagious. Over time, I found myself looking at situations through his eyes and choosing to see the good, to show up for people, and to find light even in small moments.”
For sixty years, Brutus Buckeye has been the face of The Ohio State University. What started in 1965 as a student-built idea made from papier-mâché has grown into one of the most beloved figures in all of college sports. Brutus Buckeye has danced through touchdowns, hugged generations of fans, and carried the joy of Ohio State on his shoulders season after season. According to Emily, understanding that heritage is essential to playing the role:
“From grassy knoll to walking into the stadium, you’re surrounded by fans who all want just a few moments with Brutus Buckeye. It’s when you realize he represents more than the mascot, but the culture and tradition of an entire university.”
Brutus Buckeye is the pulse of game day and a reminder that no matter how the game changes, the spirit stays the same.
The Making of a Legend
Brutus Buckeye's story begins in 1965, when Ohio State student Ray Bourhis and the cheerleading squad decided the Buckeyes needed a mascot with personality. Their first creation, a giant papier-mâché nut, made its debut at the Minnesota game that fall. He wobbled, he grinned, and instantly became part of Ohio State history.
In the years that followed, Brutus Buckeye got faster and bolder. The papier-mâché head gave way to fiberglass, and soon he was running, dancing, and firing up crowds in The Shoe like never before. Through every redesign and every decade, one thing never changed: Brutus Buckeye represented the pride and energy that make Ohio State fans who they are.
The Heart Behind the Head
Sixty years of Brutus Buckeye means sixty years of stories. Every fan has one, and so do the people who’ve worn the head. Each person behind it has carried Brutus Buckeye's smile, energy, and pride, passing it on to the next generation.
Former Brutus Buckeye Emily Hayward is one of those few.
“I think of Brutus Buckeye as the best version of myself,” Emily said. “Caring, kind, full of life, and just a really cool guy.”
Playing Brutus Buckeye connected Emily to something far bigger than a mascot. It tied her to everyone who helped shape him since 1965 — the fans, students, and alumni who have kept the spirit of The Ohio State University alive. Every performer added something new: a gesture, a dance, a moment that made people laugh. Together, they built the Brutus Buckeye fans know and love.
“There are so many incredible individuals who have worn the head before me and brought Brutus Buckeye to life in their own unique ways,” Emily said. “I wanted to honor the legacy they built and make them proud, while also bringing my own perspective and touch to the character.”
Her time as Brutus Buckeye was full of unexpected moments that reminded her how wide his reach had become.
“One of my favorite behind-the-scenes moments as Brutus Buckeye was during the Heisman House commercial shoot,” she said. “I flew out to film a commercial with Archie Griffin, which was already an incredible experience, but between takes I was in suit, essentially entertaining and babysitting Robert Griffin III’s kids. Looking back, it’s so funny to think about the situation.”
Moments like that show just how far Brutus Buckeye has come — from a papier-mâché head in 1965 to a national icon standing alongside Heisman winners.
For Emily, the heart of it always came back to connection.
“Brutus Buckeye feels like a friend to me,” she said. “There’s this connection I have to Brutus that feels part of myself even outside of suit.”
When her time as Brutus Buckeye ended, the feeling stayed. “Taking off the head for the last time felt like saying goodbye to a part of myself,” Emily said.
“But I also knew Brutus Buckeye would stay with me. The lessons, the people I met, and the experience I had all stuck with me.”
