Beanie Wells To Speak At Jackson

[ironman02]

How did everything turn out? Had to go to a wedding so I couldn't make it.

Had a wedding to attend last year during the Laurinaitis event too, which is just ridiculously bad luck.

[Orestes]

I, for one, can't wait to buy a ticket to see a fragile crybaby speak. Yawn.

Oh the money I would pay to see you say that to his face in a dark alley. We all know who would appear to be fragile.

The guy missed 3 games in his OSU career, and put 200+ yards on a Michigan team that handled Florida while running with a bum ankle and fractured wrist. Also, I don't recall him ever whining about anything. Please refresh me with some evidence.

Beanie has women, money, and fame. Now go throw up somewhere so you can feel better about yourself.

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

ironman02....Here's how it went with Beanie Wells at Jackson on Saturday. Enjoy.


‘Beanie’ Wells talks OSU at JHS

By PAUL BOGGS

Sports Editor

Amid the heat and humidity, and blazing sun on Saturday, Chris “Beanie” Wells talked a little OSU Q&A in JHS’ Alumni Stadium.

For the second straight summer, a former Ohio State University football star spoke to both Buckeye and Ironmen fans in Jackson, as part of the second annual Jackson Football Mothers Club OSU auction and autograph fundraiser.

This year, Wells was the event’s featured speaker, although his actual speech lasted less in terms of time than one of his dashes to the end zone as a former Buckeye running back.

Wells was thankful for the opportunity at Alumni Stadium Saturday, as his public appearance actually turned into a question-and-answer session from the estimated 400 in attendance.

Wells was asked everything from becoming a Buckeye to his dream — and opportunity — of playing in the National Football League as he currently does.

Wells was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 31st overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, as the Cardinals — coming off their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history the previous season, qualified for the National Football Conference playoffs again last year.

“It has all been a blessing. Playing high school ball, playing in college, playing in the NFL now,” said Wells when asked by The Jackson County Times-Journal about his appearance and message for the day.

His message to the Jackson High School football team, prior to his public appearance, was about “cherishing these moments.”

“I just told them to cherish what they have going right now. They are not going to be playing high school football again after they graduate,” said Wells. “These are days to remember. For those that have the opportunity to play at the next level, cherish those four years. These (teenage) are some of the best years of anyone’s life. Listen to what (Jackson head football) Coach (Andy) Hall and his assistants tell them. Remember these times when you run out there on the football field.”

The upcoming Ironmen should remember Saturday’s entrance at Alumni Stadium.

Wells — after his biographical introduction by the longtime Jackson football radio broadcast team of Dan Dobbins and Pete Wilson — led the Ironmen out of their locker-room, through the giant inflatable Ironmen helmet in the end zone, and onto the field to midfield.

The Ironmen remained behind Wells, who fielded a plethora of questions from the crowd.

He donned an Ironmen strength shirt with the Latin phrase Passio Bellator, which translates in English to “Passionate Warrior.”

Following the questions, the six-foot one-inch 228-pound Wells started signing autographs and posing for photographs for the estimated 350 fans which purchased the $15-tickets, which permitted an autograph from and/or photograph with him.

Jackson Football Mothers Club Treasurer Lovel Quinn estimated that another 25-to-35 general admission tickets were sold.

Wells joined James Laurinaitis last year, the former star linebacker who played with Wells at Ohio State, as the second household Buckeye name to speak at the Jackson Football Mothers Club event.

Speaking of names, Wells was asked as the final question of how he got the nickname “Beanie.”

“When I was real young, my big brother told me I was skinny like a bean pole,” he said with a smile.

Wells was one of 11 children of James and Paulette Wells, whom Chris said has been his “biggest influence in my life.”

“My family, my mother especially, kept me grounded and worked to help me focus on staying in positive situations,” he said. “They kept me away from negative situations, all throughout growing up.”

Wells will turn 22 on Aug. 7, as he was a highly-touted running back at Akron Garfield High School.

Often considered “the best recruit out of Ohio”, he was listed as the top running back and an All-American by Parade in 2006.

Wells was offered scholarships by big-time football schools such as Michigan and USC, but Wells said “I think I came out of my mother’s womb wanting to go to Ohio State.”

“I had committed to USC, but by the time that plane landed, I de-committed to USC and I knew I was going to Ohio State,” he said.

That story, and happy ending for Buckeye fans, drew loud applause from the audience.

Michigan wished Wells had either stayed with USC or ended up in Ann Arbor.

Against the visiting and second-ranked Wolverines in the regular-season finale, the top-ranked Buckeyes — with Wells on the key carry — broke off a 52-yard touchdown run which put Ohio State ahead for the remainder of the game.

Ohio State held on for a thrilling 42-39 victory, en route to the BCS National Championship tilt that season (2006).

A year later in Ann Arbor, Wells rushed for 222 yards against the hated Wolverines, more than any other Ohio State running back in history against Michigan.

Amassing over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns on 274 carries, Wells went on to be named All Big-Ten first-team and second-team All-American as a sophomore.

After rushing for 1,200 more yards and eight touchdowns as a junior, and despite missing three games with a foot injury, Wells declared for the NFL Draft with one year of eligibility remaining at Ohio State.

“I was sad and excited at the same time to leave OSU,” he said. “I loved being a Buckeye, I still am a Buckeye even though I’ve moved on to the NFL. There’s nothing like running out of that tunnel at ‘The Horseshoe’ (nickname for Ohio Stadium) in front of 105,000 fans. There’s nothing like playing in the Michigan game, especially my freshman year when it was No. 1 vs. No. 2. But it was definitely a dream to play in the NFL, and I want to make the most of that opportunity I have right now.”

Wells signed a five-year contract with the Cardinals prior to his rookie season, and concluded his first year in Arizona with almost 800 rushing yards — second-best among rookies last year.

Prior to his appearance was the actual auction, of which autographed photographs of Wells were among the items up for bids, including one of him stiff-arming Laurinaitis of the Saint Louis Rams in an NFL game last season.

Laurinaitis — the Rams’ second-round pick a year ago — was drafted just behind Wells, as the two will surely see more of each other.

The Rams and Cardinals — members of the NFC West Division — play at least twice a year.

Quinn said the eight-item auction (seven photographs and an autographed Ohio State helmet) raised a grand total of $3,850.

Tony Woodyard of Twin River Hardwoods purchased three items, as a photograph apiece was bought by David and Bonnie Valentine, U-Store-It, Randy Evans of Randy Evans Construction and the Jackson City Schools Board of Education, Travis Hughes of Serv-Pro and the Jackson City Schools Board of Education, and Steve Pritchett of Jones-Stephenson Insurance Agency.

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[wildthingRV]

I, for one, can't wait to buy a ticket to see a fragile crybaby speak. Yawn.

Oh the money I would pay to see you say that to his face in a dark alley. We all know who would appear to be fragile.

The guy missed 3 games in his OSU career, and put 200+ yards on a Michigan team that handled Florida while running with a bum ankle and fractured wrist. Also, I don't recall him ever whining about anything. Please refresh me with some evidence.

Beanie has women, money, and fame. Now go throw up somewhere so you can feel better about yourself.

I guess you'll have to produce him and the dark alley.

The bum ankle you refer to only seemed to bother him when he FAILED to get the yardage he needed, then he'd put on a show, limp around,

He should have played soccer.

Certainly he doesn't lack talent, but he wasn't durable, and he isn't going to be a great pro back, nor is he one of the best ever at OSU. I can respect his ability, but don't over sell him. He was adequate.

[Pol pot]

You are kidding me right? All you have done is spout opinions that are un-backed by facts of any type! If you are going to be a blowhard at least step up with a fact or two. And I am sure when Beanie cashes those weekly checks during the season he is thinking about your sorry a$$ in your hourly job!

And in all honesty for the character of the man, it doesn't matter if he's All-Pro, HoF, or just a guy who does the best he can and hangs on as long as he can, he is in the NFL, and your un-based simple minded thoughts can't stop that

[ironman02]

I can't see how a RB who ranks 4th on OSU's ALL-TIME rushing list can ever be defined as "adequate". Beanie put up those numbers running behind offensive lines that were proven to be very "adequate" against some of the top competition that they faced. People get on him for his injuries, but they also fail to acknowledge that he actually played most of his sophomore season with a broken wrist. They also seem to forget that he WANTED to play with the other injuries he had, but was not allowed by the OSU medical staff. The guy played his heart out for the Buckeyes and produced, period. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I just don't understand all the venom that comes Beanie's way from some fans.

By the way...Thanks for posting the article, keyser_soze78. Nice write-up.

[Ironman92]

not to mention in an era where everyone seems to hold their kid back for the extra year and so many kids are redshirted in college...Beanie just turned 18 when his college career
began...his final year at OSU he was just turning 20

How can anyone know how bad someone elses ankle is hurting? He got rolled a lot.

[friday_nite_fan]

Beanie has women, money, and fame.

So does Bill Gates..... What's your point?????