Former Ohio State quarterback Jim Karsatos passed away Sunday after battling a heart condition. He was 61 years old.
Karsatos, a Fullerton, Calif., native, was a four-year letter-winner for the Earl Bruce-led Buckeyes from 1983-86 and started for the team from 1985-86. He was a team captain for Ohio State in 1986, completing 145 of his 272 passes (53.3 percent) for 2,122 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, helping lead the Buckeyes to a 10-3 record and 28-12 Cotton Bowl victory over No. 8 Texas A&M.
Karsatos, who also led the Buckeyes to a Citrus Bowl victory over No. 9 BYU in 1985, was a combined 22-7 as a starter and finished his career with 5,089 career passing yards and 36 touchdowns. His passing yardage total still ranks 14th in program history.
After his career with the Buckeyes, Karsatos was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the No. 322 pick in the 12th round in the 1987 draft. He spent three years with Miami sitting under Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino but did not play in a regular season game.
Upon finishing his football career, he went on to become a successful financial advisor in Central Ohio, founding the Karsatos Financial Network in 2003. He also spent some time working as a sideline reporter for the Ohio State Football Radio Network.
Karsatos, who was living in San Diego at the time of his death according to a former teammate, is survived by his three sons Nick, C.J. and Danny.
