JT Tuimoloau is healthy and ready to help Ohio State win a title on Monday.
During Ohio State’s College Football Playoff national championship media day, Tuimoloau told Eleven Warriors “my ankle is doing great” after Eddrick Houston fell on him during the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl.
“God healed me. He took care of my ankle,” Tuimoloau said. “I’m just blessed to be back here and have another day and another good amount of time with my brothers.”
Tuimoloau said he was in pain after Houston rolled up on his leg. Still, the senior defensive end told Ohio State’s trainers he had no plans to exit the Cotton Bowl.
“I told one of the trainers, ‘Hey, untie my shoe. Tighten it back up.’ That’s what I did in basketball. I said, ‘I’m good. I’m good to go.’ They had me do a couple of tests, and I’m like, ‘Hey, my ankle is alright. Let’s try to get to the natty,’” he recalled.
When Tuimoloau returned to the field, he said adrenaline took over and allowed him to complete a standout performance that included seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Whenever his ankle bothered him, he would look toward his family in the stands and his teammates on the sidelines, using them as motivation to power through.
“I took a look to my left and saw my family there, understanding the sacrifices they made. And then to my right, the boys are battling,” Tuimoloau said. “They would do anything for me, and I would do anything for them. It was quick motivation right there, and I got back in it.”
