MARION -- War with Iraq was not the topic fans were discussing as they waited to meet Ohio State football players Kenny Peterson and Cie Grant in Southland Mall.

But with President Bush's ultimatum to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein only a day old Tuesday, Peterson said the looming military conflict reminds the football players what life's priorities are.

"It kind of puts thing in perspective in the big scheme of things," Peterson said, sitting next to his teammate behind a folding table in the center of the mall. Soldiers are risking their lives, "and we're going to sign autographs."

Asked for their opinions of Bush's speech Monday preparing the nation for war, he said, "What is this war about? Is it a personal grudge? ... He's going to risk so many people's lives, and I don't think he sees that."

Grant said Americans appear to be in doubt about the motivation and objective of a war with Iraq.

"We need to stop all this fighting," he said. "Half the time you don't know what the fighting's about. I think right now the country is kind of torn between going to war and not going to war."

Turning to the lighter, more personal subject of his football career, Peterson said he tries to remain focused as the National Football League draft approaches.

"You hear a bunch of stuff," he said, adding it makes it difficult to concentrate. "I lose focus on what I need to be doing, preparing for the draft."

The recent tryout in front of pro scouts at the Ohio State campus turned out well, he said.

"Everybody performed well. I was excited about everybody's performance."

He said a pulled hamstring that hampered his running ability might mean he will have to run a 40-yard sprint at another tryout site to show the NFL his true ability. But he was satisfied with his workout.

Grant said his days since the national title game have been focused on a professional career.

"What I get out of this is the work I put into this," he said, prompting a smile from Peterson, who said, "That's a coach Tressel saying."

Grant, who switched from cornerback where he was needed in the 2001 season to linebacker for last season, said he's working to prove to NFL scouts that he's a true linebacker.

"I'm just trying to show them I really am 235 (pounds), not 215," he said. "I'm just showing them what I can bring to the table, just sell myself as best is possible."

He said with the tryouts completed, "You try to get your mind off the draft. It's out of our hands basically."

Originally published Wednesday, March 19, 2003