Emily Hayward says being Brutus Buckeye involved much more than cheering during football games.

Introduction

June 9, 2026: For many college football fans, Brutus Buckeye is synonymous with Ohio State game days, energetic sidelines, and one of the most recognizable mascots in sports. But according to former mascot Emily Hayward, the role involved far more than entertaining crowds inside Ohio Stadium.

The recent Ohio State graduate has opened up about the surprising responsibilities she took on while portraying Brutus Buckeye, revealing that the position extended well beyond football Saturdays. From hospital visits to charity events and community outreach, Hayward says some of her most meaningful experiences occurred away from the field.

Her story has resonated with fans online and provided a rare glimpse into the life behind one of college sports’ most beloved mascots.

Image Credit: Emily Hawyard

Background

Emily Hayward graduated from Ohio State University in May 2025 with a degree in biomedical engineering. She now works as a clinical account specialist for Johnson & Johnson MedTech in Pittsburgh.

Before revealing her identity publicly, Hayward spent several years secretly portraying Brutus Buckeye, the iconic mascot that has represented Ohio State for decades. Like many individuals who wear the famous costume, she maintained complete anonymity throughout her time in the role.

The secrecy surrounding Brutus is a long-standing tradition. Those selected to portray the mascot are expected to keep their identities private, allowing the character itself to remain the focus rather than the individual inside the costume.

What Happened?

Speaking about her experience, Hayward explained that she initially imagined the role would revolve around football games and rivalry weekends. Instead, she quickly discovered that Brutus Buckeye’s responsibilities stretched far beyond athletics.

Her schedule included hospital visits, community appearances, commercial shoots, social media content creation, and travel with Ohio State athletic teams. Preparation for game days often started hours before kickoff, while other days were dedicated to training and outreach programs.

According to Hayward, there was rarely such a thing as an “average day” as Brutus.

The former mascot revealed that some of the most impactful experiences involved spending time with fans and patients rather than performing in front of thousands of spectators.

Hospital Visits Became Some of the Most Meaningful Moments

Among her many responsibilities, Hayward said hospital visits left the biggest impression on her. She recalled meeting patients and families whose interactions with Brutus carried significant emotional meaning.

In some cases, longtime Ohio State supporters had dreamed for years of meeting the mascot. Other experiences involved visiting patients as part of final wishes, moments that fundamentally changed how she viewed the role.

Rather than seeing Brutus solely as an entertainer, Hayward came to understand the character’s importance within the Buckeye community.

Those interactions taught her the value of showing up for people and fully appreciating how even a brief encounter could create lifelong memories.

Image Credit: @slapshotsarah

Community Events Expanded the Role

Hayward also participated in numerous community appearances and charity initiatives throughout her time as Brutus.

One particularly memorable event was the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, which raised millions of dollars for cancer research. Witnessing patients, families, and supporters come together helped deepen her appreciation for the impact Ohio State’s community can have beyond sports.

She explained that moments like these showed her that Brutus represented much more than football traditions. The mascot often served as a symbol of hope, pride, and connection for people facing difficult circumstances.

The experience also taught her valuable lessons about humility, discipline, and service.

Life Behind the Mascot Remained Secret

Another unique aspect of the role involved maintaining secrecy. Despite appearing before thousands of fans and participating in major events, Hayward successfully kept her identity hidden from many friends and acquaintances.

Only after graduating did she publicly reveal her connection to Brutus Buckeye. The announcement quickly went viral, surprising many who had no idea she had spent years inside one of college athletics’ most recognizable costumes.

Her story highlighted the dedication required from the students who portray Brutus and the commitment involved in preserving the mascot’s tradition.

Social Media Reaction

Fans have embraced Hayward’s story, with many expressing surprise over the wide range of responsibilities she handled as Brutus.

Social media users praised her commitment to community service and admired the emotional impact she described. Others shared stories about their own encounters with Brutus over the years, emphasizing how memorable those interactions had been.

Many Buckeye supporters also applauded the tradition of anonymity, noting that the focus has always remained on the mascot rather than individual recognition.

For many readers, Hayward’s revelations offered a new appreciation for the people who dedicate years to bringing Brutus Buckeye to life.

 

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What We Know So Far

Hayward’s account confirms that serving as Brutus Buckeye involved much more than appearing at sporting events. Her responsibilities included hospital visits, charity work, social media content, training sessions, commercial shoots, and travel with Ohio State teams.

She has emphasized that the role taught her important life lessons and allowed her to positively impact countless people.

Today, she continues her career in the medical field while reflecting fondly on her years as Ohio State’s beloved mascot.

What Remains Unconfirmed?

There are no major controversies or unanswered questions surrounding Hayward’s story. Her experiences represent her own perspective and provide insight into the behind-the-scenes realities of life as Brutus.

While fans often speculate about who is currently portraying the mascot, Ohio State’s tradition of secrecy remains intact. The identities of active Brutus performers are generally kept private.

As a result, future generations of Buckeye fans will continue focusing on the character itself rather than the individuals behind the costume.

Why Is This Trending?

Hayward’s story has captured attention because it reveals the emotional and charitable side of a role many people associate exclusively with sports.

Her experiences demonstrate that mascots can have a profound impact on communities and individuals, especially during difficult times. The revelations have also highlighted the dedication and sacrifice required to maintain one of college athletics’ most cherished traditions.

At a time when audiences increasingly appreciate authentic and uplifting stories, Hayward’s reflections have struck a chord with readers far beyond Ohio State’s fan base.

Conclusion

Emily Hayward’s years as Brutus Buckeye involved far more than football games and sideline celebrations. Through hospital visits, community outreach, and countless personal interactions, she discovered that the mascot represented something much bigger than athletics.

Her story provides a rare glimpse behind the costume and serves as a reminder that some of the most meaningful moments in life often happen far away from the spotlight.

FAQs

Q1. Why is former Ohio State mascot Emily Hayward trending?
Emily Hayward is trending after revealing that her duties as Brutus Buckeye extended far beyond football games and included hospital visits and community service.

Q2. Who is Emily Hayward?
She is a former Ohio State student who secretly portrayed Brutus Buckeye while earning a degree in biomedical engineering.

Q3. What duties did Brutus Buckeye involve?
The role included hospital visits, charity events, commercial shoots, social media work, and travel with Ohio State athletic teams.

Q4. Did Emily Hayward keep her identity secret?
Yes. She maintained her anonymity during her time as Brutus and revealed her identity after graduating.

Q5. What was her favorite part of being Brutus?
Hayward said personal interactions with fans and hospital patients were among the most meaningful experiences.

Q6. Does Brutus Buckeye still keep performers anonymous?
Yes. Ohio State traditionally keeps the identities of active Brutus performers private.

Q7. What does Emily Hayward do now?
She works as a clinical account specialist with Johnson & Johnson MedTech.