OSU football legend visits cancer patients

LIMA - Sonya Crites got a big surprise Monday when a two-time Heisman Trophy winner walked into her hospital room where she is fighting Stage IV bone and breast cancer.

"Nice to meet you. My son will be disappointed he didn't get to meet you," she told Archie Griffin explaining her son is a big Ohio State fan where Griffin gained fame on the football field.

The two had a brief exchange before Griffin left to see other patients at St. Rita's Medical Center.

"That was pretty cool," she said after meeting the former Ohio State running back. "This was a nice change of pace."

Crites, 40, has been fighting cancer for 13 years. She has been in the hospital for a week and likely has another week left, she said. She had surgery scheduled later Monday.

She was impressed Griffin would take the time to visit patients.

"Usually nobody like that comes into the hospital. That he cared to come around and visit with patients, most people come in speak and leave," she said.

Griffin was met on the oncology floor at the hospital by staff members cheering, "Go Bucks" as the elevator door opened. One woman said "O-H" to which he replied, "I-O."

"I came here to visit the hospital and to visit the cancer floor. It's just a special interest that I have. Everybody knows somebody that is affected by cancer and if I can come in and just say hello to some people, sign autographs, pep them up, I don't mind doing that," he said.

Griffin is not a cancer survivor but is a spokesman for the American Cancer Society for colorectal cancer screenings, for which gave a plug.

"To men over 50 to make sure you get your checks. Make sure you get your colonoscopy and that sort of thing because once you get it, it can be treated," he said.

He said cancer can be prevented and survival rates increase with early detection.

Dr. Richard Faler, who now is a cancer patient, also met Griffin and had him sign a football. He's been a huge Ohio State fan since graduating from the OSU medical school in 1970.

"My wife brought me up to surprise me," he said, explaining he was not in the hospital Monday.

Griffin visited with patients, signed autographs, hugged people and told alumni to give to the Alumni Association at the university. One oncology nurse of 20 years had Griffin sign a handful of posters as hospital administrators stood wanting to move the visit along.

Earlier in the day, Griffin spoke to Lima Rotarians about his playing days at Ohio State. He spoke of his admiration for former Coach Woody Hayes and the life lessons the coach taught.