COLUMBUS, Ohio — Akron native and former Ohio State Buckeye running back Antonio Pittman has gone from gaining yards as a professional football player to saving lives as an Ohio firefighter.
Antonio Pittman attended Buchtel High School, earning All-Ohio honors his senior year. After high school, the running back played for The Ohio State University alongside Chris “Beanie” Wells, Tedd Ginn Jr. in the 2006 “Game of the Century” against the Michigan Wolverines.
Pittman forwent his senior year to declare for the NFL Draft. He was taken in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints but cut several months later. The St. Louis Rams claimed Pittman off waivers where he played for two years before ending his professional football career.
After ending his football career, Pittman enrolled the Ohio Fire Academy to start a new career as a firefighter, and after several years of working at different stations in southern Ohio, Pittman is now working in the city he called home for years—Columbus.
Congrats to my guy @Antoniopittman 1 of my best friends and 1 of the best to do it @OhioStateFB @ColumbusFireEMS just got a Great1 on their team. #newteamsamegrind #BuckeyeForLife #nextchapter @ToteNation @OhioStateAlumni pic.twitter.com/rKoQ1GYwFf
— Beanie Wells (@BeanieWells26) February 7, 2020
According to an article by ABC station WSYX in Columbus, Pittman just recently graduated from the Columbus Fire Academy and landed a job at Station 12.
Pittman’s career may have changed but his goals of being a positive role model have not. He hopes his story will encourage others to consider a career in fire and rescue service, according to the article.
