November 2008 Issue

Ohioan - Jon Peters

AGE: Big Nut wasn’t sure

 

HOMETOWN: Fremont

 

PERSONAL: Married to Terese, with whom he has two children, Ashley, 24, and Cory, 22. Grandfather of Kole, 5 months.

 

LOVE FOR THE BUCKEYES: In 1976, Peters’ grandfather took him to his first Ohio State game — Ohio State vs. Michigan. “We lost that game 22–0,” he says. “But it was an awesome experience.”

 

BECOMING BIG NUT: Peters started painting his face in 1995 for a local Ohio State vs. Michigan party. After winning “best dressed” four years in a row, the look stuck. His wife gets credit for the name. “I would get excited watching the games,” he says. “I would jump around, yell at the TV and she would say ‘quit acting like a big nut.’”

 

LIFE AS BIG NUT: For a noon game, Peters and his wife wake up at 4 a.m. It takes her 45 minutes to an hour to paint his entire head. Big Nut always wears shorts (even in November). They drive two hours to Columbus to tailgate until game time.

 

BUCKEYE NATION: In addition to his enormous Brutus collection, Peters makes buckeye necklaces from trees his great-grandfather planted. Seven buckeyes on each necklace honor each of Ohio State’s National Championship titles.

 

PICTURE PERFECT: Photos of Peters can be found in the 2002 National Championship Magazine, the first issue of the 2003 Ohio State game program and restaurants throughout Fremont.

 

OHIO STATE VS. MICHIGAN: “That’s the game,” he says. “We’ll be there.”