Nolan Farrell, a two-time Ohio State graduate (2016, 2020) and longtime Eleven Warriors reader, reached out to us shortly after The Game was canceled hoping to pen a surprise open letter to his younger brother Luke Farrell, a fifth-year tight end for the Buckeyes. With Senior Day no longer happening, he wanted to share his congratulations and appreciation for Luke as he nears the end of his time as a Buckeye.
In Nolan's own words...
Seven years ago, my lanky brother and I went to his first Ohio State game. A truly classic battle: the fightin’ San Diego State Aztecs met their demise as Kenny G replaced an injured Braxton Miller. The Bucks won 42-7. We sang Carmen Ohio.
At that point: Luke Farrell, TE, zero Division I offers.
A year and a half (and some extra pounds) later, that lanky kid had put in the work to garner some 16 offers, one of which from that school I happened to attend.
I hoped the more game visits, the more he would feel how I felt while on campus in Columbus. He completed his “due process” of checking out other schools, but it always felt inevitable in my mind.
Nolan (left) and Luke Farrell (right) on July 24, 2015, the day of Luke's commitment to Ohio State.
Columbus in the fall cannot be replicated or replaced.
A crisp Saturday morning, maybe you enjoy a few Natural Light Pilsners outside of a run-down century home on East Lane Avenue, maybe you enjoy some other gameday activity. Either way, walking to Ohio Stadium creates a buzz, sober or not, that isn’t comparable. Ohio State University itself is where I fell in love with my fiancée, made lifelong friends, and where I was fortunate enough spend eight years as a student. Even better, four of those coincided with my brother. From 2016 to 2019, as a medical student, I was able to watch my brother wear the Scarlet and Gray. As kids from Perry, Ohio, I don’t know if there is a similar feeling in this world. Maybe only the feeling that can be encapsulated in that song, Carmen Ohio.
So, To My Brother,
Thank you.
Thank you for continuing your outside interests. Four-time academic All-Big Ten. 2020 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Yet you still listen to about 10 comedy podcasts regularly and shred some drums when TBDITL comes to practice? Cool, dude.
Thank you for bringing your family along for the ride. Until this year, Mom and Dad hadn’t missed a game. You brought our parents, Celeste and I together countless times. Thank you for sharing the tradition with all of us.
Thank you for the impact. From relationships with your girlfriend, to our 90-year-old neighbors who cut out every Luke Farrell newspaper article, you give yourself to so many.
Thank you for your selflessness. Nearing 30 starts and the mentality has never changed. It has never been about targets, catches, yards. It has been about the unit performing, and the team winning. I am obviously biased but that’s about as damn humble as it gets. I look forward to you keeping that Champion streak going.
Lastly, thank you for the memories. Yes, for the rest of my life I get to brag my brother caught passes from No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 on the Big Ten single-season touchdown record list. He helped pave the way for the single best rushing season (by yards) in Ohio State history. What is even better, I get to tell some awesome stories. I get to talk about 2 a.m. breakfast after the Rose Bowl, attending practice and watching some entertaining fights *arguments*, and how my brother enjoys taking a page out of the Michael Scott playbook in quoting his teammates.
“They seeing me, but they ain’t feeling me.”
– Sevyn Banks
– Luke Farrell
Luke's father Matt (left), Luke Farrell (middle) and Luke's mother Kelly (right) and 2019 Ohio State media day.
Congratulations on an unforgettable five years. Congratulations on an undefeated record against TTUN. Congratulations, graduate of The Ohio State University. You are the ultimate Buckeye. I hope we get to sing the best song ever made a few more times before it’s all over.
How firm thy friendship.
Go Bucks,
Nol
