Ohio State's Carnell Tate snags 2 TDs in emotional return to Chicago - ESPN

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 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 and others at Wrigley, the «three who mean the most to me.»

«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