I Had An Odd Interaction With Ohio State Superfan Buck-I-Guy At The NFL Draft
Yes, I know Ohio State fans hate superfan Buck-I-Guy. I'm an Ohio State fan. I've heard all your complaints. I've been around him at ESPN College GameDays in Columbus when he won't take a photo unless you pay him. I know you wish he would disappear from the superfan business.
The last place I figured I'd run into the guy was at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit and I never would've guessed he'd be asking me to help him get through the gate and into the NFL Draft VIP draft theater where the superfans show up on TV yelling for their teams.
Let's keep this story as short as possible, but it's an important story because it gives you a look into the underbelly of superfans and gaining access to events such as the NFL Draft.
My buddy Kirk and I just finished taking a leak by Gate 3 at the NFL Draft when we just happened to walk up on a VIP gate where there were a half-dozen NFL superfans attempting to gain access to the promised land: the prized seats in front of the NFL Draft stage where NFL cameras show the fans going nuts over picks.
We were minding our business when, out of nowhere, the notorious Buck-I-Guy comes walking straight at me. Now, keep in mind, I was wearing the NFL shield hat that Rob Lowe made famous a few years ago where he was wearing the shield hat in the stands at a 49ers game. It's the NFL shield hat that the refs wear.
I'm convinced Buck-I-Guy thought I was someone from the league handing out VIP passes. "Come on man, help me get in," he said as he walked up. "Help me."
Perhaps he didn't notice the 25 oz. Bud Light I was holding. (Ed. note: Yes, I drank a Bud Light, and it didn't turn me trans, thank God.)
This guy starts begging and saying how he needs to get in. I assure him I don't have any access and I fully know he's a complete asshole, so my radar goes off that I need to keep an eye on what this idiot is up to. I see money folded up in his hand.
From there, here's how things went down:
- Buck-I-Guy starts working the security guards. He goes up to the fence and starts pleading for access.
- Captain Jack, a Raiders superfan, who says he's sitting on a stool Buck-I-Guy gave him to sit on claims BIG is willing to pay $200 for access. I tell Captain Jack that I saw money in BIG's palm. I'm not an idiot. I could see greasing of the skids to get access to these events.
- At one point, a woman comes up and hands BIG a neck pass. We figure he's good to go, and he'll be on TV in no time. Wrong.
- There were two access points once BIG proceeded beyond the initial gate. There was an area where Bud Light VIPs were headed and then there was a theater checkpoint. BIG hit a roadblock at the theater checkpoint. He returned to the area where we were standing.
- He sees me again and starts pleading. He starts rambling something about "Don't do me like that, man, don't do me like that."
- What?
- We move away from this jerkoff, but being a content guy, I know this is the spot to be. It's better than being at the front of the Draft stage.
- Suddenly, BIG keys in on a couple of guys leaving. He goes to work, but we didn't know exactly what was going down. The three men go out of view of the security team and there's some sort of deal going down between BIG and the two men leaving.
- I start snapping photos.
- The deal is done.
- We go right to BIG for intel. What went down?
- White wristbands appears to be the haul! NFL Draft theater wristbands? Access? BIG is busily putting one of the wristbands on (I don't know if he had Scotch tape) when he says, "I'll sell you one for $100." I assumed we were officially talking about theater wristbands.
- Uh, dawg, I'm good. BIG asks me again before folding up the spare wristband and filing it away in his bag before he walked off into the night without entering the VIP section.
(Buck-I-Guy makes his approach. He wants help getting access into a VIP area at the NFL Draft. Joe Kinsey / OutKick)
(Buck-I-Guy finds two fans who just left the NFL Draft VIP area. Wristbands appear to be the target for the Ohio State superfan. Joe Kinsey / OutKick)
(A look into the superfan world. Joe Kinsey / OutKick)
(Buck-I-Guy has completed his business dealings. We walk over and that's when he offers up a white wristband for $100. Is it access to the NFL Draft VIP theater where superfans appear on TV? It's unclear. Joe Kinsey / OutKick)
Where was BIG going with those wristbands? No idea, but he was in a hurry. Are there scalpers paying HUGE money for NFL Draft theater spots? Is there a black market for those wristbands?
It all remains a mystery to me, but Canoe Kirk can testify to the content gods that BIG offered me that wristband for $100.
I said my goodbyes to Captain Jack and we continued on with our night amongst the 275,000 – I thought it was more like 300,000 – in attendance.
We never saw Buck-I-Guy again.
Are you a superfan? Do you know how this world works? I want to hear stories. You'll remain anonymous.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com