An open letter to the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I am just a fan. Like a lot of fans, I can be unreasonable in my expectations for you at times. Now, you won't hear me calling in to radio shows, or writing letters to the dispatch calling for people's heads or placing blame on a guy who makes a mistake just because the Buckeyes lose a game. I suppose part of what makes Ohio State a great place to play is also what makes Ohio State such a hard place to play. We care about what you do. It means something to us. It means a lot. But, I think it's the fool among us who believes we - the fans - care more than you - the coaches and players. But, all that said, today I reflect on what you give me and not on what this loss to Texas has "taken" from me (in some twisted sense).

As I watched you play your hardest against a very good opponent, I was also watching my son. My son is just 6 years old, and yesterday was something of a holiday in our household. What I saw was a kid who was having the time of his life, watching you guys give everything you had out there in Glendale. To see his eyes light up when Beanie would break free. To hear him shout in joy when Pryor gets the first down on a scamper. To exchange high fives with my little boy when Anderson Russell grabbed a much needed interception. THAT is what YOU have given me.

Don't get me wrong, like everyone associated with Ohio State, I wish it was you guys that were on the winning side of the score board. That would be ideal, and as a fan it is my sincerest hope that this is the last bowl loss ... indeed, last loss at all... that you ever have to face as a Buckeye. But, even though the scoreboard showed 24-21 Texas, I won something yesterday. I won a chance to see my son having the time of his life, rooting you on as hard as he could. And, I don't know if you'll read this, but if you do - know this: You will hear fans making overstatements and saying regrettable things about you and/or your team. But, what you do every Saturday on the field (or on a Monday night, in this case) has brought me and my family great joy. I just wanted to thank you.

The senior class - While some will say you couldn't get it done in big games, I have to disagree. You gave us ALL a chance to revel - as fans do - in championships. While we didn't get to enjoy positive results in either of the National Titles you played for, YOU gave us the chance to. I suppose some fans think it's easy, or that we're simply entitled to watch you win. Not me. True enough I would much more prefer you win, but as you leave Ohio State to the NFL, or to "regular jobs" or where ever you may go, know this: in 51 games, you gave me the chance to revel in victory 43 times. In 4 games against our rival, Michigan, you never once failed to deliver. While the "talking heads" talk about how "down" the Big Ten is, I understand and appreciate what 4 Big Ten titles in 4 years means. While I ached when you lost, I do not pretend it meant more to me than you. Be proud for what you have given us - the fans - in your accomplishments. And Thank You!

To the returnees - You owe me nothing. Despite this, I know you will deliver something. While I hope it's National Championships and wins and all that is good with rooting for college football, I am certain that next fall you will give me - without knowing it - something far more important to me. A chance to watch my son enjoy watching you. Thanks in advance!

Go bucks!

[muffler dragon]

Thanks for writing that, BKB! Thank you very much indeed.

[JCOSU86]

GPA

[Padraig]

Great perspective.

[Steve19]

A well-deserved GPA!

[FCollinsBuckeye]

[kippy1040]

That was a good post to read. You said it all in my estimation. We all will be looking forward to another fine year for the Buckeyes of 2009

[smith288]

I enjoyed the game with my 8 yr old up until the half when he was sent to bed (kid needs his sleep). He got to witness a very good game and he was a pleasure to watch as he watched the game. When I had to break him the news this morning, he cried.

I told him the Buckeyes gave it their all and though disappointed, held their held up high knowing they made every effort to win the game and he should do the same.

It's hard trying to reason with an 8yr old who is devastated at such news but eventually the little guy will learn with defeat, comes experience and eventually success. Ill let him play a little PS3 tonight (a big privilege in his eyes) to blow off some steam.

I know it helped me, I beat COD4 last night in one sitting.

[GoBuckeyes81]

Great post and completly true. Granted we didn't pull of a win which we ALL would have wanted but it truly shows the heart of Buckeye nation. It's more then just a game it's almost as if we are all tied in the team and university in some way. I know we'll win that BCS title again and I think it'll be sooner then everyone thinks. With Tressel at coach we have a chance to win any game at any given time. Great post.

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by Buckeyeskickbuttocks

I am just a fan. Like a lot of fans, I can be unreasonable in my expectations for you at times. Now, you won't hear me calling in to radio shows, or writing letters to the dispatch calling for people's heads or placing blame on a guy who makes a mistake just because the Buckeyes lose a game. I suppose part of what makes Ohio State a great place to play is also what makes Ohio State such a hard place to play. We care about what you do. It means something to us. It means a lot. But, I think it's the fool among us who believes we - the fans - care more than you - the coaches and players. But, all that said, today I reflect on what you give me and not on what this loss to Texas has "taken" from me (in some twisted sense).

As I watched you play your hardest against a very good opponent, I was also watching my son. My son is just 6 years old, and yesterday was something of a holiday in our household. What I saw was a kid who was having the time of his life, watching you guys give everything you had out there in Glendale. To see his eyes light up when Beanie would break free. To hear him shout in joy when Pryor gets the first down on a scamper. To exchange high fives with my little boy when Anderson Russell grabbed a much needed interception. THAT is what YOU have given me.

Don't get me wrong, like everyone associated with Ohio State, I wish it was you guys that were on the winning side of the score board. That would be ideal, and as a fan it is my sincerest hope that this is the last bowl loss ... indeed, last loss at all... that you ever have to face as a Buckeye. But, even though the scoreboard showed 24-21 Texas, I won something yesterday. I won a chance to see my son having the time of his life, rooting you on as hard as he could. And, I don't know if you'll read this, but if you do - know this: You will hear fans making overstatements and saying regrettable things about you and/or your team. But, what you do every Saturday on the field (or on a Monday night, in this case) has brought me and my family great joy. I just wanted to thank you.

The senior class - While some will say you couldn't get it done in big games, I have to disagree. You gave us ALL a chance to revel - as fans do - in championships. While we didn't get to enjoy positive results in either of the National Titles you played for, YOU gave us the chance to. I suppose some fans think it's easy, or that we're simply entitled to watch you win. Not me. True enough I would much more prefer you win, but as you leave Ohio State to the NFL, or to "regular jobs" or where ever you may go, know this: in 51 games, you gave me the chance to revel in victory 43 times. In 4 games against our rival, Michigan, you never once failed to deliver. While the "talking heads" talk about how "down" the Big Ten is, I understand and appreciate what 4 Big Ten titles in 4 years means. While I ached when you lost, I do not pretend it meant more to me than you. Be proud for what you have given us - the fans - in your accomplishments. And Thank You!

To the returnees - You owe me nothing. Despite this, I know you will deliver something. While I hope it's National Championships and wins and all that is good with rooting for college football, I am certain that next fall you will give me - without knowing it - something far more important to me. A chance to watch my son enjoy watching you. Thanks in advance!

Go bucks!

Jeesh. They'll let anyone have kids these days.

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

Jeesh. They'll let anyone have kids these days.

Jeesh. They'll let anyone post on BP these days.

[RugbyBuck]

You da man, er, um, men?, bkb.

[MaliBuckeye]

This morning, my daughter woke me up by singing her version of "Carmen Ohio".

She's got the first two lines down cold, then mumbles the middle until the "How firm our friendship, O-HI-O" part, where she screams the last word.

You're right- we're blessed to be able to pass this down to our kids; and blessed that the program is something so worthy of our attention and this legacy.

Thanks, Buckeyes.