Joey Bosa on His Brother Nick's Decision to Leave Ohio State: “He Has to Take Care of Himself, Do What's Smart for Him”

In his first meeting with reporters since his younger brother Nick withdrew from Ohio State earlier this month, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa defended his brother's decision on Monday, explaining that it was the decision that he and his family felt Nick had to make.

From Sam Fortier, who covers the Chargers for The Athletic:

Joey Bosa's thoughts on his brother Nick withdrawing from OSU.

"You have to understand that it is a business and he has to take care of himself, do whats smart for him. If anyone had the opportunity to hit the lottery tomorrow, would anyone risk that? He has that opportunity." pic.twitter.com/DlKx2Ocwj3

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 30, 2018

"It was a huge family decision," Joey Bosa said. "He talked to me, my Dad did more talking to me than he did about my opinion on this. We all came to agree on the same thing. I find it hard to believe that anyone would give up an amazing opportunity that he has or risk the amazing opportunity that he has.

"You have to understand that this is a business and he has to take care of himself, do what's smart for him," Joey continued. "If anyone had the opportunity to hit the lottery tomorrow, would anyone risk that? He has that opportunity."

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As Nick Bosa recovers from the bilateral repair of his groin muscle that he suffered in Ohio State's third game of this season against TCU and ended his college football career early, he is currently living and rehabbing with Joey (who has yet to play this season for the Chargers while recovering from a foot injury of his own) in Los Angeles as he works to get healthy and then begin preparing for the 2019 NFL draft, in which he is expected to be one of the first players, if not the first player, selected.

Joey said that he and Nick watched Ohio State's 49-20 loss to Purdue together, and that it was tough for Nick to watch.

"He is bummed," Joey said. "We watched the game the other day and he was not happy watching it. He wishes more than anything he could be there but from a logical point of view it is the right decision."

Joey, who played for Ohio State from 2013-15, said he and his brother's love for the Buckeyes is unwavering.

"We love Ohio State, we love the coaches, and the coaches love us and know how much time and effort we put into the Buckeyes," Joey said.