Fans of all ages were on hand Tuesday night in the recruitment room inside Ohio Stadium for Football 101, a class dedicated to the basics of the game and taught by Ohio State legend Chris Spielman.

The class was one of the many scheduled events for homecoming week this year. It was designed to give people a chance to learn more about the game of football.

Those on hand listened to Spielman, who while at Ohio State was named All-American twice and won the Lombardi Award in 1987 as the best linebacker in college football. Spielman also went on to play for over a decade in the National Football League, where he was named to the Pro Bowl four times.

“He did a wonderful job and answered everyone’s questions,” said Jenny Bergman, student chair for educational sessions here at OSU.

Because the class focused on the very basics of football, Spielman was given a chance to discuss what he felt was most valuable to those in attendance.

“What I wanted to get across was the basic philosophies of offense and defense,” Spielman said.

Spielman started the class by talking about different types of defense such as Cover 2, which confused and baffled many in the audience who had yet to understand the basics of football.

To accommodate those unfamiliar with the game, Spielman backtracked and started from the beginning with the different positions on the field.

“The quarterback better be the brain trust of the team, and OSU has a very smart guy (Craig Krenzel) behind center,” Spielman said.

Spielman made the class interactive by bringing his children and audience members up to the front to help him demonstrate the different types of penalties called during the game. He even gave his own view on the excessive celebration rule.

“Football is a game of emotions, and celebrating is all right and should be part of the game as long as you celebrate with your team,” Spielman said.

Despite spending his entire career as a linebacker who was taught to seek and destroy the quarterback, Spielman had positive things to say about the new rules protecting the quarterbacks.

“I think in theory they are good,” Spielman said. “I think it is smart and keeps guys safe because quarterbacks are very vulnerable when they drop back to pass.”

Fans wanting to hear about Spielman’s days as a Buckeye were not disappointed as he relived some of his fondest memories at OSU.

“Graduating from Ohio State would have to be my proudest moment as a Buckeye,” Spielman said.

As the class concluded, one audience member wanted to know if Spielman would ever suit up and play again in the NFL.

“I don’t have a neck left,” Spielman said. “I lost all the bones in my neck, so I am not going back.”

Afterwards, Spielman stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures with all the Buckeye faithful.

“I thought the class was very entertaining, as well as very informative,” said Juan Abel, a freshman in business.

Fans were also treated to a tour of the Horseshoe. The tour gave people a chance to visit places in the stadium usually closed off to the general public.

Stops along the tour included The Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Band Center, the press box, university suite and the playing field.