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Readers give Dispatch sports editor Brian White their takes on Ohio State football, the Cleveland Browns and more.

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at [email protected]. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State football traditions

Dear Brian: After attending the first three games at Ohio Stadium I have some thoughts on the new “traditions” started by Ross Bjork. First of all let me say that traditions are organic not made up by pompous ADs trying to generate enthusiasm in the fan base. So let’s go down the list:

Brutus entry into stadium: Seems unnecessary, but to each his own.
Victory bell ringing before the game: The Victory bell has a tradition of being rung after an Ohio State win, hence the name. This is a tradition that started in 1954 by Alpha Phi Omega. They have earned the right to ring the bell. It should not be used as a prop and should not be rung until after a victory. Also, the crowd does not care about a 10-second celebration of a past OSU legend pulling a rope before the game.
The Towel: We are not the Pittsburgh Steelers, and thankfully most fans have abandoned the Towel. It is dead. Bury it and don’t dig it back up.
"Ohio": Why are we playing this song just because the word Ohio is in it? It is played during a commercial break and the fans are not paying attention. No one cares. Bury it with the Towel
Hang on Sloopy: It was played after the third quarter during the Ohio game, which is where it belongs. If they want to play it at other times that is fine, but keep playing it after the third quarter.
Music cranked up during commercials: The one thing they got right, although it does drown out the band.

Phil Harrell, Dublin

To Phil: Bjork and friends are trying desperately to spice up the old Horseshoe on game days. But in the end, thrilling games against good opponents do the trick.

Brutus Buckeye is introduced prior to a game against Ohio on Sept. 13.

On Ohio State football and marching bands

Hello, Brian: Thank you for publishing the recent article “Was Ohio State rude to marching bands at Grambling State game?” Prior to even reading the article, I could tell you the answer is yes. The answer is always yes when it comes to questioning whether disrespect was shown toward marching bands.

I did not fully appreciate the extent of the disrespect until I became a part of the marching band culture through my eldest son. The football fans, announcers, administrators, schools, etc., exhibit an insidious lack of consideration that should bother us all.

Laura Sefcik

To the editor: Disrespect for Grambling band. Re: Penny Miller's letter. Totally agree with everything she said in her letter. I was looking forward to listening to the Grambling band. The music blasting over the sound system is awful. Way too loud. I could feel it in my whole body and it was very uncomfortable. Why do they need to have that on when the bands are playing? I've seen them do it to TBDBITL, too. My grandson is in TBDBITL and we just couldn't even stay until halftime to watch the show, which is the only reason we go to the football game. Doubt if I will ever come back, this was such a horrible experience. And definitely OSU disrespected the Grambling band. I felt like they disrespected the Grambling football team, too.

Mary Jones

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025.

On Ryan Day

To the editor: I respect coach Day, but he speaketh with forked tongue. He opined that if money is the first thing you are looking for, Ohio State is not the place for you. Really? Then why did Day require a base salary of $12.5 million per season, a school buyout of $11.5 million per year, a maximum bonus of $1.55 million and a retention bonus of $250,000 per year?

Coach Day may be well worth his salary because of the high cost of private jet travel and filet mignon, but don’t preach Buckeye fealty to any prospective player who prefers ground sirloin to a McDonald’s quarter pounder.

Michael Oser, Columbus

November 1962: Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown during the 1962 season. Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports

On the Cleveland Browns

To Brian: They don't need a domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns. Just put up a tent over that circus. I'm old enough to remember the excellence of the Browns under Paul Brown. But Art Modell came in and he felt his being in charge was more important then winning championships, so Brown had to go and so did the winning and they haven't gotten back up since. Brown moved on to get the Bengals off on the right foot, but once his son Mike, who thinks making money is what matters, took over, there is no hope down there either. Why anyone in Ohio has interest in the NFL is a mystery to me.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

To Dennis: The Bengals' run to the Super Bowl a few years back was stirring, but other than that Ohio pro football has been something to forget in recent decades. And for Browns fans, there continues to be no sign of hope. Just comedy.