Just in time for OSU’s appearance in the Fiesta Bowl this weekend against Clemson, Dan Beatty unveiled his Crystal Buckeye pendants, which will serve to raise funds for his charity, “Beyond the Goal Line.” No. 2 seed Ohio State will face No. 3 seed Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 28 in Glendale, Ariz. The game will be televised by ESPN.

Beatty, who graduated in 1986 from East Liverpool High School, played for the Buckeyes in the late 1980s. He also served as a team captain in 1990, starting at center for the buckeyes. He was named to the Big Ten All Academic Team twice and was first team All Big Ten his senior season.

Created by his mother Anita Beatty, these sterling silver, handcrafted crystal pieces were inspired by a tree that was planted by his late father in the front yard of his childhood home. They also carry a layer of rhodium overlay to make them sparkle even more brightly.

He explained, “Every fall we would collect the buckeyes and try to make things from them when the snow flew. One winter evening, we had heard some bad news about a friend that had been in a terrible accident, and we started thinking of ways to help.”

The original Crystal Buckeye was created by gluing rhinestones to one of the buckeyes from that front yard.

According to Beatty, artists, silversmiths and jewelers became involved in crafting the pendants out of the finest materials available, choosing cubic zirconias over crystals to heighten the sparkle. “We chose different colors for the body and eyes of the buckeyes. The bail was chosen, so any silver chain could fit through it,” he explained. “The real purpose behind the buckeye bling was to support the non-profit charity. Its purpose is to carry on the promise that The Ohio State University makes as in “Summer’s heat and winter’s cold, how firm thy friendship Ohio.”

“A charity that understands when the football game, playing days are over and real life storms hit, there will always be a helping hand for its football players from ‘Beyond The Goal Line,'” Beatty said, adding that fellow alumni have struggled with brain tumors and cancer.

Available for $125 each, the pendants can be worn on a variety of chains and ribbons in eight different colors, including pink, black, red and white.

To purchase them, visit www.crystalbuckeye.com.