Sport-Blog.com
|
Sports News: ESPN | SI Leagues & Associations: NFL | NHL | MLB NBA | PGA | USTA Archives: Other: Resources |
<< Home
The Main Event in Buckeye Nation Football
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Ohio State University Football is a winning proposition in more ways than one this year. Not only are the team members winning every game they play, but also several of their players are putting forth the right foot in a show of good examples and role modeling that brings back a measure of respect to the game at OSU. This more than makes up for the legacy of Maurice Clarett and other players in the recent past years who have been convicted of assault and battery and other evils.
Four Ohio State football seniors combined forces for the edification of the crowd gathering on Monday evening, October 30 at St. John Arena. They did this to give back to the Buckeye Football and Sports community that supports them throughout their season, win or lose. They took it upon themselves to get together and organize The Main Event, which was free and open to the public. Crowds adorned with buckeyes on a strong around their necks, scarlet and gray jerseys and all manner of other OSU paraphernalia, were just as excited about The Main Event as they were about OSU Football and the Buckeyes winning streak this year.
Roy Hall, David Patterson, Joel Penton and Stan White Jr., along with Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel and the former Ohio State University Buckeyes quarterback Craig Krenzel, returned the favor to the crowds in October in order to support their fans at The Main Event. The Ohio State University Football Athletes in Action and Central Ohio Fellowship of Christian Athletes supported this program.
In an effort to relate their own personal stories to the fans, the four players invited the general public to the Ohio State campus to listen to their candid panel discussion and witnessing format. The team members did their best to openly and freely share the accounts of Faith and Football, aiming to convey how Christianity affects their lives to the good, both on and off the field as a lifestyle. Senior fullback Stan White said that they wanted to show the fans that the team members are rooting for them also.
The evening began with a rousing rendition of songs and cheers from members of TBDBITL (The Best Damn Band in the Land), The Ohio State Marching Buckeyes Band and The Ohio State Cheerleaders and Brutus Buckeye. They cheered the crowds, spreading the joy and pride in a no-lose season of football, followed by insight into the lives of the players, coaches, and guest speakers.
Craig Krenzel said, "I'm excited to join Coach Tressel and the players to show my appreciation to the fans by sharing with them what is most important in our lives."
Coach Jim Tressel himself, at the end of the evening, got up and gave his own Christian Testimony in St. John Arena, in front of thousands of people. He said of The Main Event, "We hope this is something that will touch lives."
Other guest speakers from the annals of football included James Laurinaitis, Vernon Gholston, Marcus Freeman and many more OSU Buckeyes.
Senior defensive tackle and Co-captain David Patterson said that while the fans always see the players play football on Saturdays, he was also hopeful that when Buckeye Nation packed the house at St. John Arena to hear the team message on October 30th, that a certain spirit would lift up and go with the crowds into their daily lives. The Main Event was about life itself and its purpose, and OSU football was just the vehicle - a vehicle with an incredible winning streak. The team wins and has the integrity to talk up the good points of the other team as well, without gloating.
The first 1,000 people that entered The Main Event received a photo signed by one of the participating OSU Buckeye Football players. You might see some of these on eBay in the future, especially if the Buckeyes keep winning and then win the Rose Bowl on top of that. These players would then go down in Buckeye history as the team that not only won the title, but also did their best to win souls for Christ as well. It takes real guts to stand up and do either one of those things, especially in front of a Big Ten college football crowd.
2:17 PM
Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home
