Seconds after Will Allen stepped in front of a John Navarre pass, Ohio State fans rushed the field, without a clue of how valuable the turf they were walking on was worth.
Buckeye Home Turf is selling the turf the 2002 national champion Buckeyes played the Michigan game on.
“Truly a piece of memorabilia that most Ohio State fans would like to have,” said Doug Peabody, president of Buckeye Home Turf .
The Motz Group excavated the turf and soil from Ohio Stadium after the season. Buckeye Home Turf was hired to load the turf on trucks and haul it to a remote location. Peabody was trying to find a way to bring some value to the turf. He decided to sell the turf so fans can remember the perfect season.
Peabody’s product is eight ounces of the turf in a scarlet and gray jar with the 2002 national championship logo on it. The jar costs $29.95, and a certificate of authenticity is included with every purchase. For an additional $12.95, the certificate of authenticity comes on a plaque. There is also a 16 -ounce jar for $39.95.
The certificate of authenticity has been signed by OSU’s athletic director, Andy Geiger and by two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Ohio State’s former associate athletic director Archie Griffin.
Buckeye Home Turf is also selling an eight -inch, 24 -leaded crystal football with real turf growing in it. The football also has the national championship logo engraved on the front and costs $229.
“A cherished piece of memorabilia for years to come,” Peabody said.
Buckeye Home Turf has sold over a thousand eight- ounce jars of turf. They plan to sell the turf until it’s gone, Peabody said.
Peabody said he wanted to give back to the university and he saw this as a best way to do so. Ten percent of the proceeds are going to the James Cancer Society, another 10 percent is going to the Olentangy River Wetland endowment fund and 2 percent will go back to the athletic department.
