| Ken Fritz | |
| Birth Date: | 21 November 1957 |
| Birth Place: | Ironton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 3 |
| Weight Lbs: | 238 |
| Career Highlights: |
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| Playing Years1: | 1976–1979 |
Ken Fritz (November 21, 1957 – February 6, 2024) was an American college football player who was a guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was recognized as a consensus All-American in 1979.
Fritz was born on November 21, 1957, in Ironton, Ohio.[1] He graduated from Ironton High School,[2] where he played on the football team and lettered three times.[2] In 1975, he earned several honors including being named Southeastern Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL) Co-Player of the Year and Associated Press Ohio Class AA Lineman of the Year.[2]
Fritz played and lettered for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team under coaches Woody Hayes during the 1976, 1977 and 1978 seasons and Earle Bruce in the 1979 season.[2] [3] He made All-Big Ten team in both the 1978 and 1979 seasons.[2] At the end of the 1978 season Fritz restrained his coach Woody Hayes after he punched Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman of Clemson University in the Gator Bowl.[4] The television replay and several still photos also show Hayes punching Fritz as he restrained him, but Fritz at the time denied that he was punched.[4] Fritz said “…He was just trying to wrestle his way free. He didn’t want anyone to restrain him.”[4] In 1979, his senior season, he helped the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship with a perfect 11–0 regular season record, and a berth in the Rose Bowl.[2] [5] Following his senior year, as a 6-foot, 3-inch, 238-pound guard, he was recognized as a consensus All-American, having received first-team honors from several publications and organizations, including the Associated Press and United Press International.[6] Fritz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round (277 overall selection) of the 1980 NFL draft.[7]
Fritz died on February 6, 2024, at the age of 66.[8]