If you’re listening to this Saturday’s game between Michigan and Ohio State on the radio, you may notice that Jim Lachey isn’t on the call.
Lachey, a former offensive tackle at Ohio State, played in the NFL from 1985-1995. The Super Bowl champion was a three-time Al-Pro during his career. After retiring from football, he accepted a position as a radio broadcaster for the Buckeyes. He’s been calling games for his alma mater since 1997.
Unfortunately for Lachey, his streak of calling 357 consecutive games came to an end this Saturday. He wasn’t in Columbus to call “The Game” because he was in Iowa City to cheer on his son.
Lachey’s son, Luke, played his final home game for Iowa this Friday. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cornhuskers on a last-second field goal.
Prior to the Nebraska-Iowa game, Lachey talked about missing this year’s showdown between Michigan and Ohio State.
“Obviously my heart pulls me both directions, but for the good of my family, I gotta go see Luke and be a parent for this weekend and get a chance to walk out there with my wife Ann and it’ll be Luke’s final (home game at Iowa) Friday night,” Lachey said, via Eleven Warriors. “I wish it was a noon start (on Friday), but it’s not, it’s a night game against Nebraska. But I’m excited … It’s gonna be special. The whole family’s gonna be there. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
Ohio State is favored to defeat Michigan by three scores this Saturday. To be fair, the Wolverines don’t really have the firepower to keep up with the Buckeyes this year.
Kickoff for “The Game” is set for 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
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