Why do pro football players who attended Ohio State say, "The Ohio State" when being introduced?

Question

But then again, people call The University of Texas-Austin simply Texas. Or The University of Southern California is simply USC.

I know they are the best team out there, but even when they aren't the best, they still say it.

Answer 1

Maybe they think there are 2 of them - and they have to clarify.
Just kidding -- actually, the official name of the school IS
"The Ohio State University"

No worse than the U of Miami player that says "The U "

Answer 2

Ohio University is the oldest college in the state, yet when Ohio State started they soon were the college most associated with the state, and it's government. Enough that President Rutherford B Hayes upon returning to the state pushed or it to be recognized as the major state supported university. The incident that brought on the use of THE was because OSU used just OHIO on their uniforms once, and Ohio University sued on copyrights. The resulting lawsuit ended with Ohio University winning, and Ohio State adding THE to the beginning of their official name. Why players from other colleges say THE now, is because they feel left out. =(. It's not only correct to say The Ohio State University, it actually has history behind it.

Answer 3

Because the sign in Columbus as you enter the university says "The Ohio State University" That is why former players say when introduced on MNF The Ohio State University, that's its friggin name

Answer 4

Because it is The Ohio State University, not Ohio State University.

Answer 5

Ohio university and ohio state had some type of a trade mark problem,so thy the say ohio state

Answer 6

I believe Robert Smith was the first one to do it, when he was still playing for the Vikings, and pretty much every Ohio State player since then has followed suit.

Answer 7

there are two ohio state universities, The Ohio State University and Miami of Ohio University, there must be some distinguishability, and since Ohio State University is "better" they get to be cooler with their choice of name

Answer 8

I think Cris Carter was even doing it before Robert Smith. And who can argue with Cris Carter? He's arguably one of the best wide receivers ever to play the game.

Answer 9

Because they feel that THE Ohio State is the shiznit.

Answer 10

its their way of giving props to their alma mater, and getting some attention for themselves and their school