Small Miracles

Born and raised in Ohio, it was bred into me to love the Ohio State Buckeyes – especially the football program. Throughout the years, Buckeye football taught me many life lessons.

My first football memory was the 1984 season when I was 7 years old. Chris Spielman was a new-comer and quickly became my favorite player. The Buckeyes claimed the Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl berth. Three seasons later, the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan with a time expiring field goal. Chris Spielman won the Lombardi Trophy. These two memories taught me about hard work, determination, and small miracles.  

In 1989, the Buckeyes overcame a 31-0 deficit to beat Minnesota. I watched from my parents living room with growing disappointment as my favorite team struggled.  But, my parents continued to root for the team even when they were hopelessly losing. The Buckeyes continued to work hard and never gave up.  This game equaled the largest comeback in NCAA history. I learned about loyalty, dedication, and small miracles.   

The 1995 season was another of jubilation for the Buckeyes and their fans. Eddie George won the Heisman Trophy. Orlando Pace became the first sophomore to win the Lombardi Award, and Terry Glenn won the Biletnikoff Award. The Buckeyes tied a school record with 11 wins and played in the Citrus Bowl. My parents and I traveled to Florida to witness the Citrus Bowl in person, but my Buckeyes lost. I remember being devastated by this simple event. I now know, this season taught me about disappointment, over coming it, and again small miracles. 

Buckeye fans will never forget the 14-0 National Championship 2002 season. But, the Fiesta Bowl championship game was not an easy win, like many of the games during that season.  The double overtime game was emotionally charged and again taught me about small miracles.    

In recent months, my love for Ohio State has grown beyond the football team.  The amazing medical staff at The Ohio State Medical Center – James Cancer Hospital has brought hope to my family as my dad battles stage 4 colon cancer. The beginning diagnosis was devastating. The prognosis even more so. But, with the lessons of hard work, determination, loyalty, dedication, disappointment and overcoming it, and small miracles all taught to me by the years of watching Buckeye football, my dad, and family, will prevail.  

As I write this blog, I am sitting in my dad’s hospital room. Yesterday he was surprised by a visit from five current Ohio State football players and two coaches. It was a highlight of the hospital stay of course, but also of his life.   

Also, tonight the Buckeyes play the 2010 season opener while we are here in the hospital and we just might have the best seats in the house. Small miracles…       

View from Dad’s Hospital Floor

Source: Ohio State Football History