Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott is now the namesake of a newborn penguin at the Columbus zoo.
Much was made about Ohio State’s quarterback situation at the end of last year when J.T. Barrett broke his ankle in the win against Michigan and third-stringer Cardale Jones came to the rescue to lead the Buckeyes to the national championship.
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But it was running back Ezekiel Elliott who was really the driving force on offense and why Ohio State was able to beat Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
Elliott was rewarded with the MVP honors after rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns, his third straight game with at least 220 rushing yards, and now he has another honor, albeit a very unique one.
The Columbus Zoo named a precious looking baby penguin after the Buckeyes rising junior running back and one of the preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
BABY ANIMAL ALERT! Meet Zeke, a Humboldt #penguin chick. He hatched on 2/20 & now weighs 10 ounces! pic.twitter.com/RpGyDnbLAh
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) March 3, 2015
How adorable is this little penguin chick?!
Elliott tweeted at the Columbus Zoo to ask if he could babysit little Zeke, but the Zoo did what Oregon, Alabama and the Big Ten couldn’t do to him this year. They stopped him cold in his tracks and proposed a counter offer instead.
.@EzekielElliott thanks for the offer, but he's in good hands w/ our keepers. Maybe we can arrange a meet 'n' greet instead?
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) March 4, 2015
I want to have a meet ‘n’ greet with little Zeke.
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