While Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas and Vonn Bell all played together at Ohio State before they were drafted by the New Orleans Saints, Ted Ginn had already been in the NFL for five years before any of them even arrived in Columbus.
That didn’t make it any less special, however, for Ginn to have the opportunity to play alongside three fellow Buckeyes this past season.
"It’s always a blessing to have brothers," Ginn said. "We enjoyed our time this year. We try to bring that Ohio swag down there, that Buckeye swag, and it’s just a blessing that we’re able to be able to be on that field together and doing the things that we do."
While Thomas and Bell, both second-round draft choices by the Saints in 2016, and Lattimore, a first-round pick in 2017, had already had the opportunity to build close bonds with one another while playing together as Buckeyes, Ginn has had the chance to build those bonds since joining the Saints as a free agent last March.
Ginn said it didn’t matter that he hadn’t played with them before, however, because playing for Ohio State builds a bond between Buckeyes across generations.
"Guys that you’ve played with, played before you or came after you, it’s just one big family here, man, and it’s like we never left," Ginn told Eleven Warriors while back in Columbus last month at the Midwest Sports Spectacular. "You would have thought I played with (former Ohio State and retired former NFL running back) Eddie George. You would think Eddie George played with us. It’s just how our city is."
“We try to bring that Ohio swag down there, that Buckeye swag, and it’s just a blessing that we’re able to be able to be on that field together and doing the things that we do.”– Ted Ginn
Ginn already had a connection with Lattimore that began before Lattimore even became a Buckeye – both grew up in the Glenville area of Cleveland, and went to Glenville High School – so Ginn said he tried to serve as a mentor for Lattimore, this season’s presumptive Defensive Rookie of the Year, in his first year in the NFL.
"We started off as neighborhood guys. We started off as Glenville guys. Then we made it to the Buckeyes. Now we’re Saints. So yeah, for sure," Ginn said. "You have to go out and show the guy how to move in this league, how to walk in this league. He’s a rookie, he really don’t know a lot. A guy like me, being in here for awhile, it’s always great to have a buddy with you."
Thomas might not have needed that guidance by the time Ginn arrived in New Orleans, considering that Thomas had already emerged as one of the NFL’s best wide receivers in his rookie season, catching 92 passes for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. But Ginn, who caught 53 passes for 787 yards and four touchdowns for the Saints in 2017, certainly enjoyed having the opportunity to play in the same position group as Thomas, who had 104 catches for 1,245 yards and five touchdowns in 2017 – breaking the record for most receptions in a player’s first two NFL seasons in the process.
"I’m just happy I’m on the other side of him," Ginn said of playing with Thomas. "It’s been a great time with that guy."
After adding Ginn and Lattimore, among others, to their roster last spring, the Saints finished the regular season with an 11-5 record – for their first winning season since 2013 – and won their first playoff game over the Carolina Panthers before suffering a heartbreaking, 29-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on a last-second touchdown pass.
Ginn, Lattimore, Thomas and Bell are all under contract with the Saints for at least two more seasons – and all, coming off of strong seasons, should remain starters in New Orleans in 2018 – so they will look to lead the Saints to even more success next season.
Asked if he has any specific personal goals for 2018, however, Ginn kept his answer short and simple.
"Stay alive," Ginn said, ending his interview with that response.