Ohio State football never stops.
This video is proof.
like clock work pic.twitter.com/cnlMBQc3aP
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 14, 2023
Let's have a good Thursday, shall we?
“HOPE EMBODIED.” For many Skull Session readers, the Summer 2023 edition of The Ohio State University Alumni Magazine will arrive at your place of residence in the coming weeks. When it does, two familiar faces will be on the front cover: Ryan Shazier and Tyson Gentry.
Former Ohio State football linebacker Ryan Shazier (2011-13) and punter/receiver Tyson Gentry (2004-08) had their football careers end due to spinal cord injuries. Facing that reality was challenging, but it offered a new perspective on how to help fellow survivors (Photo Credit: Ohio State Alumni Magazine)
In a cover article titled “Hope Embodied” by Todd Jones, the magazine's senior writer connects "the remarkably similar spirit" that Shazier and Gentry share, one that is shown most in how they responded after spinal cord injuries ended their athletic careers – Shazier's with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Gentry's with the Buckeyes – and altered the trajectory of their lives forever.
"You want to show that no matter what you're going through, you can help others," Ryan told Jones. "That's kind of an Ohio State thing."
"Paying it forward is what it's all about," harkening on the famous words from Woody Hayes: "You can never pay back, so you should always try to pay forward."
Jones added to those quotes in the opening section of his article:
Both Buckeyes [Shazier and Gentry] say they’re blessed because their own misfortunes — injuries suffered 11 years apart while playing football — have allowed them to provide opportunities, resources and aspirations for others dealing with spinal cord injuries. Each man established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit: Tyson set up New Perspective Foundation in 2015; Ryan, The Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation in 2020.
“Once I got hurt, I decided this is not something that derailed my journey,” Ryan says. “I thought, this is something where I’m going to be able to change lives.”
Ryan has regained the ability to walk, with a slight limp; Tyson uses a wheelchair. The men are at different places and helping people in their own ways. Yet they are bonded by purpose.
“There is a common thread of hope for what the future can hold,” Tyson says. “It just comes down to using the platform you have to the best of your abilities to help whoever you can. ... There’s a ripple effect. Throw a pebble in the pond and goodness spreads out.”
Jones' article continues with stories of Shazier's experience in Pittsburgh during recovery from his spinal cord injury. This process has required well over 130 rehab sessions (that was only the number of sessions covered by the NFL's insurance). Jones also dives into Gentry's life in Alpharetta, Georgia, including a lovely flashback to when he met his now wife, Megan Vanderhost Gentry, as classmates in a lecture at Independence Hall.
By the time the article ends, you realize that Shazier and Gentry, though pictured together on the cover, do not have shared moments throughout the story. But that returns us to one of the article's first lines that Shazier and Gentry share remarkably similar spirits.
Despite few interactions in their lifetimes, the former Ohio State football players have made profound impacts in different places but in the same community – those impacted by the injury they both suffered many years ago. That's what paying it forward is all about.
Cheers to Shazier and Gentry for their continued work in this space, doing “Ohio State things.” That should make Buckeye Nation very proud.
A MAN OF THE PEOPLE. While there's lots of stuff that could count as “Ohio State things,” such as leading the United States (and the world) in research and innovation, competing for championships in 36 varsity sports (and club teams) and being the largest (and best) campus in the country, another “Ohio State thing” we could add are alumni launching nonprofit organizations.
The most recent Buckeye to launch a nonprofit – a Buckeye that we would write about on an Ohio State athletics website, that is – is former quarterback Justin Fields. Jacob Rhee wrote about Fields' development and the fun moments he has partaken in this offseason in Monday's Skull Session. However, I have more to add to the Fields conversation today.
According to Joanie Lum of FOX32 Chicago, Fields recently donated $10,000 to Special Olympics Illinois. This donation came through a personal foundation Fields has created to assist and lift up young people in the Windy City. Fields explained the foundation in Lum's article and this video:
“The foundation really came from just trying to help the community, trying to strengthen the community in all areas,” Fields said. “I really just wanted to do that through grants in areas of youth empowerment, leadership development, scholastic achievement and health and wellness. [This is] the first opportunity we got and we’re definitely excited for it, so it’s an awesome opportunity for sure.”
Fields made the donation during Dunkin Donuts’ 20th Annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser, which was created to raise awareness and money toward Special Olympics Illinois. The fundraiser also allows the Chicago Police Department to connect with local youth and start relationships that create a safe and trusting environment where the community's children, adolescents and young adults can thrive.
It's really cool to see Fields interact with and help the Chicago community. It seems like everyone there loves and believes in him. He's becoming The Man for a franchise and community that want to see their favorite team – Da Bears – and their city succeed. It certainly looks like Fields will make that happen both on and off the football field.
ALL-STARS AT EVERY LEVEL. Former Buckeyes and their recent dominance in the NFL is well-documented. Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, Michael Thomas, Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Cameron Heyward, among many others (those were just the first names that came to my mind).
However, Ohio State's success at the professional level does not end with The Shield.
On June 5, former wide receiver Johnnie Dixon was named the USFL's Offensive Player of the Week. On Tuesday, another former Buckeye pass-catcher, Austin Mack – plus another player with Ohio State ties, cornerback Najee Murray, who transferred to Kent State after two seasons in Columbus – were named to Pro Football Focus' CFL Team of the Week.
Mack collected four catches for 120 yards in his debut for the Montreal Alouettes, a performance that netted him Budweiser Canada Player of the Game honors. Murray, also a member of the Alouettes, recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception in Montreal’s 19-12 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
You chose @Austin__Mack11 as the @BudweiserCanada player of the game.
— Alouettes de Montral (@MTLAlouettes) June 12, 2023
Whats one word you would use to describe his performance in Week 1?#Alouettes pic.twitter.com/Wvy9M3EXQ5
— Alouettes de Montral (@MTLAlouettes) June 10, 2023
Ohio State, man. The talent runs too deep. Even if a Buckeye doesn't find their place on an NFL roster, you can be sure that player will make some noise wherever they have an opportunity to do so – Dixon in the USFL, Mack and Murray and the CFL and several others. The file for #DevelopedHere content just keeps growing.
THE RYAN DAY PODCAST NEARS. Many moons ago, I wrote about The 1870 Society and its efforts to build another NIL collective for Ohio State fans to contribute financially toward the future of the school's 36 varsity athletic programs.
In that post, I mentioned that one of the perks of donating to The 1870 Society over other collectives would be the exclusive Ryan Day Podcast, sent directly to contributors for as little as $10 a month. After a few months of development, the first episode of that podcast is about to be released. Here is a primer to prepare you for what comes next:
Over the next calendar year, the man himself, Ryan Day, will discuss "some insider information on the team," "some personal stories" about himself, his players and staff, as well as "some stories over the past five years." All of that will come via a discussion with former Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett, a member of the 2015 national championship team that defeated Alabama and Oregon in the first-ever College Football Playoff.
The podcast looks like it should be a fun time, and I can't wait to hear what kind of nuggets come from it as the summer becomes the fall and the fall becomes winter, ultimately leading toward what we can hope will be another national championship season for the Buckeyes in 2023 – a feat last accomplished by Bennett's team nine years ago.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Take On Me" by a-ha.
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