Thayer Munford is this year's recipient of the Block 0 jersey, though he won't actually wear No. 0 on the field this season.
In the second year of a new Ohio State tradition, Munford was awarded the team's Block 0 jersey for the 2021 season on Saturday.
Honored to wear the Block https://t.co/SP7oNqiU0M
— Thayer Munford Jr (@TMunford75) August 28, 2021
“I love this team and will do everything I can to uphold the tradition of what the Block O means in our program,” Munford said after practice on Saturday.
I am honored wear the Block O on my jersey. Just thinking how much of an honor it is to be the 2nd person to be the Block O. I would like to thank everyone for your support!! Go Bucks #0 pic.twitter.com/0NMRgJOAko
— Thayer Munford Jr (@TMunford75) August 28, 2021
Because offensive linemen are required to wear numbers between 50-79, however, Munford will wear a patch on his uniform rather than actually wearing No. 0 during games.
The tradition of the Block “0” jersey began last year and is inspired by Bill Willis and what he stood for – toughness, accountability & the highest of character.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 28, 2021
Because he plays on the OL, Munford is prohibited from wearing #0. He’ll wear a special patch on his jersey instead.
The Block 0 jersey tradition began in 2020 after the NCAA football rules committee decided that college football players would be allowed to wear No. 0 for the first time. Jonathon Cooper became the first player to wear the number for Ohio State last year.
Ohio State awards the Block 0 jersey, which honors Buckeye great Bill Willis, to a player who demonstrates toughness, accountability and high character.
Toughness, accountability & the highest of character. @TMunford75 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/RWeRTnJu0A
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 28, 2021
That makes Munford an unsurprising choice for this year's honor, as Munford is one of Ohio State's six captains this year. A fourth-year starter on Ohio State's offensive line, Munford demonstrated his selflessness this offseason when he agreed to move to left guard despite starting at left tackle for the past three seasons. The fifth-year senior, who opted to return to Ohio State for an additional year of eligibility rather than enter the 2021 NFL draft, graduated from Ohio State this summer and has drawn consistent praise from Ryan Day for the leadership he’s brought to the Buckeyes this offseason.
“The Block O is a badge of honor in our program,” Day said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “It represents everything that is important to us – fighting to be elite in all that we do. It’s also about accountability and a blue-collar personality. When I think of Thayer Munford, that’s what comes to mind.”
The Block O.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 29, 2021
Carrying the legacy from #99 to #0.@TMunford75 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tqhrPc2BPg
