The season opener was made even better for Ohio State football fans with legendary former head coach Jim Tressel in the house. Early on in the showdown between the Buckeyes and Ball State, Tressel took center stage at The Shoe, with the university officially honoring him with a spot in the Ring of Honor.
After helping Ohio State win a national championship, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before this happened. However, it was the way that the Buckeyes made this happen for Tressel that has everyone talking, and for good reason. As you can see below, there was actually an Ohio State sweater vest covering his plaque up until the end of the first quarter. Love it!
Jim Tressel’s Ring of Honor plaque covered by a sweater vest until its unveiling, which will take place after the first quarter of today’s game. pic.twitter.com/TYEgKTOAzH
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 5, 2026
Jim Tressel had an incredible message for Ohio State fans after his Ring of Honor induction
Just incredible. Tressel donned pretty sweet sweater vests during his time running the show for the Buckeyes. In total, Tressel was the head coach for the Big Ten powerhouse from 2001-2010, winning 106 games and only losing 22. In 2011, though, Tressel resigned from his position due to an NCAA violations scandal that rocked the university.
Said tattoo-parlor scandal would have looked a bit different today, but that's a conversation for another day. Despite that dark cloud over his time in Columbus, it takes nothing away from what he accomplished overall, highlighted by a natty win, eight Big Ten titles. Oh, and he's also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Tressel didn't need this Ring of Honor nod to be remembered as an Ohio State legend, but there's no question that he fully deserved it. When the Buckeyes won it all during the 2022 season, it marked the first time Ohio State had done so in 34 years. It was well worth the wait for a lot of people, as plenty of us still remember the thrilling win over Miami to seal things up in the Fiesta Bowl.
"This recognition, is all about these young men, these great coaches, these great fans - the best damn band in the land, and everyone that loves the Buckeyes," Tressel said told a packed stadium. "I thank God every day that he made me a Buckeye."
Fast forward to present time, and Ryan Day has taken the helm in Columbus and has already had a ton of success with the Buckeyes. This includes winning the national title in 2024 when superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was still a baby-faced freshman. Now, Ohio State, the No. 1 team in the country, is ready to push for more glory this winter.
In order for that to happen, Julian Sayin, Jeremiah, and the rest of the playmakers on both sides of the ball will have to be at their best. Should that happen, Tressel will assuredly be fired up, as he'll be following this team closely from start to finish this campaign - and he'll be doing so as a proud Ring of Honor member.
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