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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
CHICAGO — Ohio State coach Ryan Day tells players that the game of football doesn’t care what they’ve been through, but the people around them certainly do.
Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate doesn’t talk a lot about himself or the trauma he endured in July 2023, when his mother, Ashley Griggs, was killed in a drive-by shooting in his hometown of Chicago. But Tate’s coaches and teammates know what happened and have supported him, especially this week as he returned home.
Tate had 30 to 40 family members and other loved ones in the stands at Wrigley Field on Saturday, as he recorded his first multi-touchdown performance in No. 2 Ohio State’s 31-7 win against Northwestern. The sophomore had a diving 25-yard touchdown reception late in the first half, then added an 8-yard score on the first possession of the third quarter as Ohio State pulled away.
“The biggest thing was me playing in front of my family and all that,” said Tate, who had four receptions for 52 yards. “They expected a lot with me coming back home. They wanted me to put on a show, but I just had to wait and see if the ball [came] my way.”
Tate credited his roommate, fellow wide receiver Brandon Inniss, for supporting him during the past year. He played before his sister, father, grandmother — the “three who mean the most to me — and others at Wrigley.
“The people who know Carnell care a lot about him,” Day said. “The way that he’s handled himself is just an example to everybody. To see him get two touchdown passes in his hometown … I know it means a lot to him, but also means a lot to us, and I’m really happy for him.”
Griggs, 40, was killed early on July 16, 2023, in the city’s Garfield Park neighborhood. Four others were wounded in the incident, which took place during a high school reunion. Three men were charged in the shooting.
Tate has seen his role increase this season as a third option behind Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. He has three or more catches in seven games.
“So proud of that kid, man,” quarterback Will Howard said. “Given all he’s been through, I don’t say it a lot to him, but he’s one of my favorite guys on the team. Seeing him every single day, he just lifts my mood. For him to have the game he had, here in his home city, in this stadium, I couldn’t be happier.”
Tate felt “a sense of high emotions” seeing his family in the stands. He had not been to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game before, but added, “I’m a Cubs fan today.”
“I’m grateful the ball found my way quite a few times today,” he said.