COLUMBUS — Ohio State did right by Jim Tressel on Saturday.
The ceremony to induct Tressel into the Buckeyes’ Ring of Honor happened between the first and second quarter of the home opener. All eyes were on his new nameplate on the stadium, next to Woody Hayes, as it was covered by a sweater vest draping before it was pulled off.
Then Tressel got the microphone, looking and sounding very much like the man who first got on a microphone in front of Ohio State fans 25 years ago during an Ohio State-Michigan basketball for his famous 310 days speech. The guy is just very comfortable in a round environment, spinning, speaking and looking up to a crowd.
“Thank you Buckeye Nation,” Tressel said Saturday. “This recognition is about these young men, these great coaches, these great fans, the Best Damn Band in the Land and everyone that loves the Buckeyes. I thank God every day, he made me a Buckeye. God bless you all.”
Really nice moment, though it’s still a little … something … that Tressel’s records on the stadium plaque show six Big Ten titles when he actually won seven but the NCAA vacated one.
Tressel clearly appreciated the honor greatly. It’s best to honor a person’s legacy while they are still around. Saturday meant something to him.
“A million things go into everything,” Tressel said during an interview session in the press box after the ceremony. “We’re just blessed.”
It also meant something to the fans. The pregame Senior Day ceremony felt like it passed by with people barely noticing. Tressel’s moment hit.
I asked on Saturday morning whether Tressel should be going into the Ring of Honor. He was the third coach, after Woody Hayes and Paul Brown. The other members are Ohio State’s six Heisman Trophy winners, Chic Harley and Bill Willis (I neglected to include Willis in the list Saturday.) That’s very, very rare air. And 92 percent of you who voted said Tressel belongs there.
So now … who’s next?
I want to ask athletic director Ross Bjork if the Buckeyes are considering anyone for the Ring of Honor at this point. Does Tressel’s induction open things up? Or was he also a unique member of Ohio State history who stands alone in his impact?
It could be viewed either way.
Apparently Urban Meyer on his podcast a few weeks ago shared that he thinks Ohio State should have more statues and more people honored in the stadium. Hmm … like maybe another former coach with a national title? I actually stopped by Florida’s stadium for the first time recently and noted all the things they have outside their stadium honoring greats of Gator football, including a plaque to Meyer. I plan to get into that more in a Rants soon.
But for now, what do you think should happen with Ohio State’s Ring of Honor next?
It’s always been a little crazy to me that 75 isn’t retired. Orlando redefined the position in college, and went onto justify his No. 1 draft pick as a HOFer. He was never going to win the Heisman (despite getting votes!) and the old policy of just honoring those winners plus Harley / Willis long past the time that fans would know much about them is a bit underwhelming because it leaves some great players unrecognized while they and the majority of fans who remember them are still alive. It’s fine to honor the coaches of course but I would like to see more players honored. Orlando is the easy and obvious pick for that.
When you were talking about the statues on the Sunday Soundoff, I immediately thought of Pace. To put his greatness in context, Jeremiah Smith is the Orlando Pace of WRs