You won't see any Buckeyes wearing the numbers 22, 27, 31, 40, 45, 47 or 99 on the field, but those digits can be easily spotted inside Ohio Stadium. Seven Ohio State players have had the ultimate honor of having their numbers retired.

To have a number retired, a player must have graduated from Ohio State, or have been in good academic standing upon departure from OSU, in the case of leaving early for a professional career. He also must have won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award, the Football Writers Player of the Year Award, or the American Football Coaches Player of the Year Award.

The first was two-time Heisman Trophy winner (1974-1975) Archie Griffin. At halftime of the October 30, 1999 game against Iowa, Griffin-and the Ohio Stadium crowd-were surprised to see his number 45 handed to him in a special frame. Then, an announcement was made. His was to be the first jersey retired, of any sport, in OSU history.

On September 23, 2000, it was 1950 Heisman Trophy winner Vic Janowicz's turn. Posthumously, his number 31 was retired at halftime of a game against Penn State.

Later that year, on November 18th against Michigan, 1954 Heisman winner Howard "Hopalong" Cassady saw his number 40 taken out of circulation. Cassady also helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1954 National Championship.

1944 Heisman Trophy recipient, the late Les Horvath, had his number 22 retired on October 6th, 2001, at halftime against Northwestern.

An emotional Eddie George watched his number 27 unveiled from the façade of C-Deck on November 10 of that year. The 1995 Heisman Trophy, Maxwell and Walter Camp Award winner was honored at intermission against Purdue.

Six years to the day that Archie Griffin was recognized, Charles "Chic" Harley had his day. October 30, 2004, saw Harley's number 47 retired. Although he played a time before awards were handed out, Harley was the school's first three-time All-American, and one could argue that without Chic, Ohio State football wouldn't be what we know it today.

On November 3, 2007, Ohio State retired the number 99 which was worn by Buckeye great Bill Willis. A Buckeye lineman from 1942-44, Willis was a three-year starter playing both offense and defense. The Columbus native was a devastating blocker on offense and a punishing, relentless tackler on defense, despite his willowy 6-2, 215-lb. frame. Willis earned All-America honors in 1943 and 1944 (Ohio State’s first-such African-American honoree), and was a key part of the Buckeyes’ 1942 national championship squad.

Willis went on to a distinguished career with the Cleveland Browns (1946-53); he is considered to be the first African-American starter in professional football. Willis, who is retired from his career as director of the Ohio Youth Commission, was also a member of the Ohio High School, Ohio State Athletics, College Football and Pro Football halls of fame.

The seven numbers are commemorated above the scoreboard in the closed (north) end of Ohio Stadium.

In 2005 during halftime of the Texas game, the legendary Woody Hayes had his name forever memorialized in Ohio Stadium. The banner bearing his name now rests on the structure supporting C-deck on the eastern side of the Horseshoe.