Ohio State Football: Jim Tressel needs to become an “I” dotter
By Eric Boggs
The last time former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel was at Ohio Stadium, his former players from the 2002 National Championship honored him by picking him up on their shoulders and carrying him off the field. This wasn’t the first time they did this honorable gesture to the roar of the Buckeye faithful. Tressel and his 2002 National Championship have been honored at Ohio Stadium twice.
The first occasion came in 2012 between the first and second quarters of the Michigan game. It was the 10-year anniversary of Ohio State’s big National Championship victory over Miami. Tressel was scooped up and carried off of the field that day.
The second time was this past season at the home opener against Notre Dame. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the 2002 team’s National Championship. Again, the players hoisted Tressel up on their shoulders and marched him around The Shoe for all of Buckeye Nation to applaud.
Scarlet and Game contributing writer Frank Teriaca wrote that Tressel needs to have his name in the Ring of Honor at Ohio Stadium. One can definitely make an argument for that. But there is another honor I would like to see bestowed upon my favorite Buckeye football coach. Jim Tressel needs to “dot the i,” in Script Ohio with The Best Damn Band In The Land.
It’s an honor that is typically reserved for a fourth or fifth-year sousaphone player. However, from time to time, non-band members are honored. In fact, in Ohio State’s history, only eight individuals have received this honor. Out of that list, only two were former football coaches.
Woody Hayes “dotted the i” in 1983 and Earle Brice did so in 2016. Following that day’s game and festivities, Bruce stated, “I think this is the greatest honor I’ve ever received.”
It’s time to add a third former football coach to that list, and it should be Jim Tressel. I understand that some may feel he doesn’t deserve that honor given the circumstances that led to his resignation and termination as head football coach of the Ohio State football team. However, given today’s environment in college football with NIL and humungous television deals, what Tressel was accused of seems like petty theft compared to the severity of crimes that the NCAA is purposely turning a blind eye towards.
The Buckeye fanbase still loves Tressel. Every time he speaks, he is the most popular man in the room. Wherever he goes, throngs of Buckeye fans surround him like he is a saint whose acknowledgment of their effort will somehow validate their fandom. And the thing about it is, Tressel always takes the time to show honest respect for the individual. He actually listens and speaks to people and gets to know them.
The all-time Jim Tressel team. light. Related Story
As for the band, let us not forget his first statement after the 2002 National Championship victory.
"“We have always had the best damn band in the land. Now we have the best damn team in the land.”"
The Ohio State football program has the perfect opportunity to now give Tressel the best damn honor in the land. This season the Buckeyes host Youngstown State University on September 10. These two schools are the two institutions that Tressel has spent the majority of his life. No doubt, he is more than likely already planning on being in attendance. Why not make him the third coach in school history to “dot the I?” Isn’t it about damn time?