For Patrick Wise, this Wednesday had a bit more significance than others prior throughout the course of this football season.
"It's a very special day for me today," Wise said Wednesday, Veteran's Day. "Especially to everyone that has laid the foundation before me and to everybody that is currently serving, I still salute them as well."
Wise served four years in the United States Navy at the Kings Bay Submarine Base in southeast Georgia before trying out for the Buckeyes. He finds his name across a Block O hanging on a wall that stretches between the Ohio State team room and coaching offices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Each former player or coach who served his country is listed.
"We have one current young man on our team that is a veteran, Patrick Wise,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s from Warren, Ohio. He served four years in the Navy and walked on this spring as a junior majoring in international studies. We were proud to present him with the Block O that goes up on that wall."
Wise said he was part of the military police down in Georgia, but with his major — his focus is on security and intelligence — he hopes to one day end up in the FBI.
"I like a challenge and plus I love football and I love Ohio State," Wise said. "It's always been a dream of mine to play here and be a part of this organization."
A lifelong Buckeye fan, Wise received the call to walk on as a running back just before the season began. And on a day where veterans all across the country and world are recognized by those back home, he's feels blessed to have the chance to suit up and take the field with his teammates.
"My brothers, my team, these guys are like my brothers. Just like in the military. The guy next to you, that's your brother," Wise said. "That's who you count on and depend on and you do everything you can for the guy that's behind you.
"It's been a dream come true to even walk these halls and be in this facility with these guys."
