Oregon, Ohio, couldn’t have a more unfortunate name when it comes to this year’s college football championship game.
That’s why when Ohio State faces Oregon on Jan. 12, the Toledo suburb will change its name for the day.
Per the Toledo Free Press, Oregon residents Matt Squibb and Mark Rabbitt started an online petition to rally support for a sort of ceremonial name change.
“Call it Buckeye Town, Ohio City, Brutusville, whatever, you get the point,” the page on Change.org says. “Let’s not leave anything to chance here! Change the name and support the Buckeyes!”
The petition also calls for Oregon’s Clay High School to change its colors for the day because (of course) they share the Ducks’ green and gold.
Ironically, neither Squibb nor Rabbitt are Buckeye fans. In fact, Rabbitt is a supporter of Michigan, Ohio State’s rival.
“When Michigan plays Ohio State, obviously I’m a Michigan fan, but every time OSU plays, I hope they win because in the grand scheme, it’s good for the Big Ten,” Rabbitt told the Free Press. “It’s just a unique opportunity to show support to a university in their journey to win the first-ever national championship in the playoff system, but also for this area, that a school from the Big Ten is able to represent the entire conference in this national championship game.”
Oregon city administrator Michael Beazley said he and mayor Michael Sefarian plan to issue a proclamation Monday declaring the one-day name change, but the temporary name has not been chosen.
Thumbnail photo via John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports Images
