Last Friday, I took my annual pilgrimage to the iconic,
though currently being renovated, Ohio Stadium. Along with the Spring Game,
these are two events I have penciled in on my calendar every year. With
escalating ticket prices, these venues are perfect for the rabid Buckeye fan
who can’t afford to otherwise go to games. While it’s nowhere near the game day
atmosphere, FNL is perfect for if you want to be in Ohio Stadium with some of
the atmosphere, but not all the headaches. Parking was free and I sat in the very
first row on the 30 yard line. All I needed was for the weather to cooperate
(more on that later).
I took my seat with my pristine view of the field, armed
only with my decrepit iPad Camera (which I hope to upgrade, Lord willing). Let me give you a rundown of my
experience since many of you folks didn’t have a chance to attend.
In the past,
Friday Night Lights has served as a recruiting event primarily. It has
attracted some of the top high school talent in the nation. With OSU currently
engrossed in one of the best recruiting runs in school history, many folks
thought there would be multiple booms (AKA commitments). Mark Pantoni coined
the term to use for social media when a top prospect commits to OSU.
With OSU’s
brand firmly established, FNL’s focus has shifted to be less about hype (booms)
and more about relationships and instruction. Prospects come to learn and
develop their games from arguably some of the best college staffs in the
country and compete against the greatest athletes (iron sharpens iron). To use
Gene Smith’s verbiage, we don’t need gimmicks and circus stunts to “jumpstart
our program,” like our neighbors to the North. FNL serves not only as a stellar
camp, but it affords an opportunity for current, and former Buckeyes to mingle
with current commits and develop chemistry amongst Buckeye nation.
Paying it forward:
FNL”s isn’t just about X’s and O’s. Former
Buckeye and current Los Angeles Charger, Joshua Perry was given a chance to
address the campers. With rapt attention, campers sat at midfield as Perry
spoke to them about what it takes to be a Buckeye, both on and off the field.
Perry was not only paying it forward but he was paying it back for all that OSU
has done for him and the opportunities and doors OSU has opened. Perry walks
the walk as a man of faith and conviction using his platform for good and for
the benefit of others.
Super fan sighting:
One of Joshua Perry’s favorite super fans and special friend of the program, Jacob Jarvis
made an appearance at FNL’s with his father. Jarvis is well known among Buckeye
nation as the young man with Duchenne Muscular dystrophy who Urban Meyer and
the team has adopted as their own. OSU made him an honorary team member for
life during their mythical run to the national championship in 2014. If you
remember during the Spring Game there was not a dry eye in the stadium as OSU
fed Jacob the ball in the 4th quarter. Jacob juked and jived his way for a TD much
to the delight of the team and the thousands of college football fans watching
both in person and on television and social media. Friday Night Lights is for
Super Fans like Jacob.
The Price is
right:
While many
believe J.T is arguably the most important player returning this season, I would
argue that fifth year senior and Co-Captain Billy Price might be just as
important for OSU’s on field success this season. Urban reiterated the
importance of strong leadership at the BIG Ten media Day, “We have three 5th
year seniors here with me today representing Ohio State and I don’t know if I’ve
ever had that before. Nowadays, 5th year seniors are hard to find.”
(BTN)
I sat next
to Billy’s father for part of the evening. He is excited to see his son’s
switch to Center, much like that of Pat Elflein last year. Mr. Price has supreme confidence that his son
will embrace the mantle of leadership and serve as a key cog in this year’s
national championship run.
After seeing
him myself up close, I have no doubt that Billy will make the transition
smoothly and effectively. He looks the part, on and off the field. It’s clear
he hasn’t been spending time at the Golden Corral, but rather in the gym under
the watchful eye of Coach Mick.
Urban’s
greatest hire:
Many believe
when Urban Meyer first took the job at OSU, that his two most important hires
were Strength and Conditioning Coach Mickey Marotti and Mark Pantoni, Director
of Player Personnel. Pantoni is Urban’s right hand man. As I glimpsed across
the field looking for Urban Meyer, I noticed one thing; wherever Urban Meyer
was, Pantoni was attached at the hip. They were inseparable. Pantoni, who I
have been told has a photographic memory, was helping Urban adeptly navigate the
hundreds of campers in attendance. FNL’s is now a well-oiled machine and it’s
easy to see why that’s the case. It’s because of Mark Pantoni.
Rain or shine:
I was
nervous earlier in the day, as I saw it was raining and cloudy in Columbus for
much of the day. I thought to myself, “Please don’t let it rain on FNL’s.” The
camp will resonate and have a much greater impact if it is held in Ohio Stadium
and not in the confines of the WHAC. Much to my delight as FNL’s approached,
the clouds parted and the sun began to shine. Around 8pm, it started to
sprinkle. My nerves returned. The lady next to me with her fancy weather app
assured me that it would clear. I joked with her that Pantoni is so good; he
even orchestrated the weather and kept it from raining on the campers.
After
stowing my backpack with my decrepit iPad away under a bench and praying the
weather would clear, something spectacular happened. Slowly but surely the
clouds parted and a double rainbow in its entire splendor was revealed from one
end of the stadium to the other. I mentioned on twitter that, “The skies opened
and the propitious smiles of heaven descended upon Ohio stadium.” While people
were intent on watching the action on the field I was preoccupied with capturing
this moment of Divine Providence on my substandard iPad camera. I joked to the
family next to me that, “Pantoni sure is good, He even orchestrated the rainbow
over Ohio Stadium.” Imagine how
memorable that would be for recruits? As if Ohio Stadium isn’t memorable
enough.
While I
don’t believe that it was Pantoni who brought the rainbow, I do believe that
God is active in the affairs of men. Is God an Ohio State fan? Not necessarily.
“The rain falls on the righteous and the
unrighteous.” But for this brief moment I though God smiled on Ohio Stadium. As
long as we keep paying it forward, stay humble, and do things the right way
perhaps we can continue cultivating that favor and blessing.
In
conclusion, I want to take the opportunity to commend you for making it to the
end of my article. In today’s fast food and microwave society we have lost the
ability to maintain attention. Not many people read anymore. It’s much easier
to click on a thirty second video or watch a funny gif on social media (not
that there is anything wrong with that).
I hope you
continue to follow us on this journey together towards the start of the Buckeye
season. I plan to ramp up my writing as the season approaches & I hope to
provide some good content to keep you engaged and coming back. Thank you for
listening and always pay attention. You never know when you might have the
chance to pay it forward in someone’s life and you just might notice a rainbow
emerging out of the clouds of life.
Nicholas Jackson
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Originally printed in @twssbuckeyeblog
Nick is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio where he received his B.S in Biological Sciences. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio and then his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh. He has been published in the Newark Advocate, The Granville Sentinel, and the St. Louis Metro Voice; and professionally in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Nick has also been a guest host on 88.9 WLRY and 880AM WRFD
Permission to reprint article required from author
Nick’s email: gobucks2204@gmail.comPermission to reprint article required from author
No comments:
Post a Comment