While a running back at Ohio State in the 1960s, Espy tried to plow through All-American linebacker Dick Butkus of Illinois.

Espy started from the Illinois 7-yard line with Butkus at the 2, he once told Dale Butland, an adviser in Espy’s unsuccessful 1999 campaign for Columbus mayor. “I lowered my shoulder. I hit him just as hard as I could,” Espy said. “When I woke up, I was back on the 7-yard line.”

Espy came back that time, just as he did in 1984 after a concrete cornice fell from a downtown Columbus building and crushed his leg. He had his right leg amputated below the knee and was fitted with a prosthesis.

“Unless you knew about the accident and were looking for it, most people never notice it,” said Butland. “In a situation like that you can sit around and mope and feel sorry for yourself or you can move on. Ben has moved on.”

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