‘Beanie’ mania: Hundreds line up to get OSU standout’s autograph

By Jordan Cohen

Some area Buckeye fans showed up at the Eastwood Mall in Niles as much as five hours early.

NILES — Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells took a moment to glance at the seemingly endless line of fans waiting to shake his hand and pay $25 for his autograph at the Eastwood Mall.

“This is definitely surprising and it’s a lot of fun to meet true Buckeye fans,” Wells said Saturday while signing pictures, miniature helmets and Ohio State jerseys, most with his name and number 28 on them. He took no breaks during the two-hour autograph session.

Wells’ appearances in Niles and throughout the state can be considered his farewell to college football. The 20-year-old Akron resident has declared for the upcoming NFL draft on April 26. He would not speculate on the possibility of becoming a top draft pick.

“I don’t know, but it would be a dream to go in the first round,” Wells said. “I don’t know where I’ll go, but I’d love to stay in Ohio.” That means either the Cleveland Browns or the Cincinnati Bengals. Wells said he had no preference between the two.

The lines waiting for Wells’ autograph snaked through an adjacent vacant store with fans eager to pay for his signature. “We usually average around 500 persons for each appearance,” said Chris Cole of Ohio Sports Marketing, the firm that represents Wells.

Some autograph seekers showed up more than five hours early, including Michael Bodnar, 25, Austintown, wearing his Ohio State apparel.

“I got here around 8 a.m. and I was sixth in line,” Bodnar said. When asked why he was willing to wait so long, his mother, Karen Metzinger interjected.

“Because it’s Beanie Wells,” she said. “What else do you need?”

Any thoughts that the recession might limit interest in paying $25 for Wells’ signature were eliminated by the hundreds of fans who had no qualms about it.

“I think it’s worth the money,” said Matt Schmied, 26, Boardman. “I hope he does well in the NFL.”

Schmied said he took his place in line around 10 a.m., three hours before Wells was to begin signing.

“I’m doing this for my 9-year-old son,” said Dan Cook, North Bloomfield, who stood last in line behind several hundred people when the signings began. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, but I’m still a big OSU fan.”

Wells was asked about the role Coach Jim Tressel played in his development.

“He is a great coach and great teacher, and I learned a lot from him,” Wells said. “I learned some life lessons along the way.”

Almost overlooked was the joint appearance of another familiar Ohio State player, Todd Boeckman, who had been the starting quarterback when the season began, only to be replaced by freshman Terrelle Pryor. Boeckman has already graduated with a degree in consumer affairs.

“I would have liked things to have turned out differently, but I’ve had fun and met a lot of great people,” Boeckman said while responding to comments of “best of luck” and “congratulations” offered by the fans awaiting Wells’ autograph. Boeckman said he hopes to be selected at some point during the draft.