New Ohio law allows license plate with University of Alabama logo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Crimson Tide delight will quickly be out there for show on the roads in Buckeye territory.

A yr in the past, Rep. Adam Chicken (R-New Richmond) launched a invoice within the Ohio Home that may create a College of Alabama license plate for the state. His persuasive testimony throughout that introduction caught the eye of the plenty and seemingly swayed the hearts within the type of votes by his legislative colleagues.

“I’m very grateful to have the ability to have laws like this in Ohio and to have colleagues which might be prepared to pay attention and take into account views … [that] may be divisive,” Chicken stated.

That particular person invoice didn’t go ahead, however the laws made its method into HB 291, which was signed into legislation this week by Gov. Mike DeWine. It additionally permits for a Circleville Pumpkin Present, Little Brown Jug, and Marshall College specialty plates along with Alabama.

The plate and subsequent scholarship fund that it’s going to profit from by way of its buy are in honor of Chicken’s father, Ron.

Ron Chicken attended Alabama on a soccer scholarship and performed there underneath coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and alongside quarterback Joe Namath. Collectively, they received a nationwide championship in 1964. Rep. Chicken stated that scholarship modified the listing of his whole household’s lives.

“I grew up in Ohio, and I’m ceaselessly a fan of Ohio State soccer,” Chicken informed Home Transportation Committee through the laws’s unique introduction. “However I’m additionally ceaselessly grateful for the tutorial alternative that was afforded my father by the College of Alabama and the change it made within the lives of my household.”

“This invoice [will] simply generate somewhat bit further income to supply some scholarship cash for a scholar who needs to go to Alabama from the state of Ohio,” he added in an interview with NBC4 on Friday.

As for his father, who’s a member of the Ohio Excessive Faculty Soccer Coaches Affiliation Corridor of Fame and described as a”legend in South Southwestern Ohio” by Rep. Chicken, he was anxious individuals have been going to be mad at his son for the plate.

“He stated, ‘You positive you need to do that you just’re gonna get in hassle?’” Chicken stated. “However you understand, my mother is the one who’s actually excited. And he or she’s the one who’s a very large Alabama fan.”

You may watch Rep. Chicken’s full interview with NBC4’s Kristine Varkony within the video participant under.