What It Means To Be a Buckeye

Being a True Buckeye.

The essence of the word “Buckeye” is ingrained in Ohio State’s rich culture and traditions which unite all of those attached to the University – student or not – under the spirit of a shared sense of belonging and an unprecedented appreciation for its alma mater. When it comes to Ohio State football, those who have had that special honor to put on the scarlet and gray uniforms are very familiar with such things. They’re also familiar with winning, and that alone brings about a sense of pride. However, being a Buckeye is not about just being a great athlete.

All we hear about Ohio State football players in the news are the negative things they do. No one sees how great of a person some of them are. Well, while shopping at CVS the other day, I was in line right next to Ohio State defensive end Jalyn Holmes. I told him he looked familiar and said, “You play for Ohio State, don’t you?” He replied, “Yeah, I’m Jalyn Holmes.” I said “Oh, on the defensive line, right?” He said, “Yep.”

Well at that time we were at the front of the checkout line and, being a quadriplegic who’s paralyzed from the shoulders down, I asked him to get my debit card out for me in order for me to pay for my things. That didn’t happen. Did the young gentleman ignore my request and just go about his day? Not at all. Instead he said “Don’t worry about it” and paid for my things for me!

You see, being a Buckeye is about striving for greatness on and off of the football field all while being in warrior mode at all times. It is not about you or me. You don’t even have to be an Ohio State student, football player or alumni to be considered a Buckeye. It’s about having a heart of gold and showing sportsmanship both in the community and on the gridiron. It’s about how we constantly and selflessly strive towards creating a positive impact on the society and the world.

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Being a Buckeye is all about paying it forward (no pun intended) whether it’s in the form of happiness, knowledge, experience, or an affectionate gesture. It is essentially about looking out for one another. Once you take that crucial step, you come to the realization that being a Buckeye is a responsibility that you take great pride in.

Buckeyes give back to the community in meaningful ways because they love Ohio State’s mission and the impact it has on the lives of those around them. Being a Buckeye is essentially an inseparable part of one’s identity. As mentioned in Carmen Ohio, though time may pass, Buckeye spirit is something that will stay with you forever, no matter where you are or what happens to you in life. Being a Buckeye is about bonding, tradition and a steadfast belief in Ohio State University’s commitment to greatness. This demands a commitment to serving others to the best of one’s abilities. Holmes demonstrated just that.

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I could go on and on to describe just what it means to be a Buckeye, but it’s often hard to put in words what someone feels in their heart. Perhaps that’s what’s so amazing about being a Buckeye. One truly comes to the realization of what it means to be a Buckeye when they fall short of words to describe it to others.