DL Joel Penton (official thread)

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I had a unique opportunity to hear Joel Penton speak last night. I came away very impressed with his ability in that area. Very well spoken, engaging, clearly passionate about his topic (Which was his faith). Wasn't much insight in to Ohio State football, but that wasn't his purpose in being there. In any case, relevant to football, I was able to get the following information -

Joel did say he weighs about 290 (I think he's listed at 275), he's slightly taller than me (I'm 6'4") If he's 15 pounds heavier, I can say it's all muscle.

After his presentation he opened the floor to questions. First question, of course, "Who's going to be our Quarterback?" Penton didn't name names, saying he basically didn't know - or if he did, he wasn't saying.

Later he mentioned he had played on the grey squad, which brought the remark, "and you say you don't know who the quarterback is going to be?" (A reference to Smith, of course) There was some laughter. Smiling he said, I'm not going to get in to it, or words to that effect.

Lets see, what else.... He said he and all the guys get along real well for the most part, that when Tressel talks about the "football family" he's not just blowing feel good sunshine in to the wind.

He talked briefly about the circle that's formed after games - midfield. He says Ohio State wants to do that every game, win or lose and other teams may or may not have the same desire. He mentioned is sometimes hard to do after a loss. I was going to ask him if he was going to assume the roll that I remember Kenny Peterson having in 02 (Leading the prayer or speech or whatever you'd call it that goes on in this aftergame circle) but didn't.

I'm probably forgetting a thing or two, but that's about it. I came away very impressed with him.

 

[Alan]

Great young man.....he is a leader in the post-meal bible studies that the team has....he also was married just a couple of weeks before spring practice...

you are right bkb....his faith is inspiring...

 

[prayer]

i don't know if this is appropriate, so i won't be offended if this post is deleted. but i wanted everybody (buckeye fans/non-buckeye fans; christians/non-christians; even michigan fans) to know that joel will be preaching at my church, highpoint nazarene on sunday (4/9). he will be delivering the main message, and from what i understand he is a very good preacher. highpoint is at 795 pollock rd. in delaware, ohio. take 23 north off off 270 to pollock, which veers off to the right just before 23 crosses over the olentangy river. ryan williams' uncle also attends the church, and he was going to see if ryan would attend the service as well. church starts at 10 a.m. a very open and accepting church. all are welcomed. thanks. btw, whoever shows up should be forewarned: the children's pastor, tom fox, is a huge michigan fan. otherwise, he's a great guy.

 

[RB07OSU]

i don't know if this is appropriate, so i won't be offended if this post is deleted. but i wanted everybody (buckeye fans/non-buckeye fans; christians/non-christians; even michigan fans) to know that joel will be preaching at my church, highpoint nazarene on sunday (4/9). he will be delivering the main message, and from what i understand he is a very good preacher. highpoint is at 795 pollock rd. in delaware, ohio. take 23 north off off 270 to pollock, which veers off to the right just before 23 crosses over the olentangy river. ryan williams' uncle also attends the church, and he was going to see if ryan would attend the service as well. church starts at 10 a.m. a very open and accepting church. all are welcomed. thanks. btw, whoever shows up should be forewarned: the children's pastor, tom fox, is a huge michigan fan. otherwise, he's a great guy.

Great to hear. If I was closer to Columbus, I would check it out.

 

[Buckskin86]

A man of faith
Away from football, OSU’s Penton finds his calling in the ministry
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Joel Penton stood onstage, looking down at hundreds of college students gathered outdoors for a recent Campus Crusade for Christ meeting.

At 6 feet 5 and 290 pounds, sporting a dark goatee, the Ohio State defensive tackle cut an imposing figure, almost menacing. One could easily picture a thundering voice and fire-andbrimstone speech.

But his first act was to come forward, down several steps, closer to his audience. He wore jeans, tennis shoes and a fleece pullover. And when he spoke, it was not with hubris, but humor.

"I’ve mastered the art of procrastination," he began. "In fact, this morning, as I was preparing for this speech . . . "

Laughter. He had them. They listened attentively as Penton first went on a Jeff Foxworthystyle "You might be a procrastinator" riff. Then he switched deftly to his topic: spiritual procrastination.

"Society teaches us to forget consequences, to live in the here and now," Penton said. "But Christians believe there is more than that. I guarantee you, 100 years from today, the question of whether you have an eternal soul not only will be an important issue, it will be the only issue."

Penton has a natural style, an easy, calm cadence and rhythm. It seems he was born to talk about his faith. And indeed, he believes he was. How else to explain discovering his life’s calling at the callow age of 16, as a sophomore at Van Wert High School?

In the seven years since, Penton has become an accomplished and in-demand speaker at youth groups, campus gatherings and churches around the state. His calendar gets busy this time of year. He estimates that he will make several talks a week through the summer. During the football season, he says he can deliver only one or two talks a month.

Penton will be a fifth-year senior this fall, and he plans to continue speaking full time when his playing days are over.

"He’s the most gifted speaker I’ve ever seen," said Bryan Hawkins, director of Campus Crusade at OSU for the past eight years. "He’s by far the best talker. He really cares about helping people and impacting them spiritually."

It started in 1999, when Penton had not yet blossomed into the physical force he is today. A lifelong member of the Van Wert United Methodist Church, he had recently become a committed Christian.

"At that point, I was very un-athletic," he said. "I enjoyed playing football, but I was not successful at it. I remember really considering what I was going to do as a profession.

"I’d heard someone say, ‘Find out what you like to do and get someone to pay you to do it,’ and I thought, ‘Well, there are two things I like to do. I like to talk to people about God and I like to play football.’ At that point in my life, there was no way anyone would ever pay me to go into football, so it looks like I’m going into ministry."

He threw himself into it. He became a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader in high school, helping organize a teen worship team that traveled the state. Even when his football skills developed and he was recruited to play at OSU, he never lost focus on his life’s work.

Penton uses the notoriety of being a Buckeye as a platform to help deliver his message to more people. But at his recent Campus Crusade talk, he made his priorities clear.

"Years and years after this ‘coveted’ national-championship ring turns to dust, I’ll be face to face with God," he told his audience, gesturing to the 2002 ring he wore.

When he arrived at OSU, Penton immediately sought out a Campus Crusade meeting, which turned into a serendipitous occasion.

"I go in, and who’s leading the college meeting but some goodlooking gymnast," Penton said. "And I think, ‘Whoa, who is this? I’m going to have to talk to her.’ "

In March 2005, he married Bethany Groskopf, a former OSU gymnast. Bethany graduated last year and is a nurse at Children’s Hospital.

Lately, Penton has been seeking more church appearances as he tries to figure out exactly what he wants to do after the 2006 season. He’s not sure he wants to "settle down" and be a minister at any one particular church.

"I really have a passion for traveling and speaking and always sharing the gospel, so I would like to continue that," Penton said. "I don’t know if I would associate myself with some sort of organization as their designated person or whether it would be a totally independent ministry."

On May 7, he was invited to speak at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Logan, and he made quite an impression.

"Joel was very well-received, really appreciated," Ebenezer pastor Steve Hubbard said. "Joel came in and ... it wasn’t ‘Look at what I’ve done.’ He seemed to be a very selfless, very personoriented individual. It was very refreshing."

His hometown minister, Jim Dunaway, has since retired from Van Wert United Methodist and is helping out with youth groups at Centerville United Methodist. Penton has made several appearances at Dunaway’s new church.

"Joel just has a real sense of maturity about what it is he believes," Dunaway said. "He started preaching at about 18 or 19 years of age, and he had that sense then. He has a maturity that’s amazing for a man his age."

Dunaway was there at the beginning, when a 16-year-old decided on his life’s work and hasn’t wavered.

"I really felt God had just put my passion in my heart that if I were to do anything but ministry, I’d be taking the easy way out," Penton said. "I just had this deep-down feeling if I don’t go into full-time ministry, if I don’t spend my entire life, including my vocation, spreading the gospel and dealing with spiritual things, then I’m taking the easy way out and I’m not doing what God wants me to do."


[email protected]

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/football/football.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/02/20060702-E1-00.html

 

[Muck]

i don't know if this is appropriate, so i won't be offended if this post is deleted.

As one of the board's pariah non-believers I can say without hesitation that your post was certainly well within the bounds of propriety.

All of the Buckeye's are human beings first and their lives certainly revolve around more than just their athletic endeavours (*gasp* ).

 

[BB73]

Quotes from Joel after the night practice, from the official site:

link

Joel Penton, senior defensive lineman

On the night practice

"It was a lot of fun and the crowd was great. There was more excitement. There was a little more pressure but it was great to get out in front of the fans."

On the defensive line

"We are doing well. The defensive line could really be the strength of the defense this year and I think we are coming together well. Jay Richardson and Quinn Pitcock have stepped up into the leadership roles this year and even some of the younger guys are doing big things."

On being a senior

"Wherever the team needs me I want to be able to step in and fill that role. It is my last go-around this year and things have really been put in perspective for me. I understand how important and special it is to get to play for this team."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com$ (Dave Biddle)

8/28/06

Penton talks about making the most of his opportunities this year and wanting to be a strong contributor along the defensive line. Joel is impressed with the young guys on the line such as Denlinger and Barrow. He realizes this could be his last year of football and he wants to go out on top. Mentions after college he may want to be involved in the ministry.

 

[bkochmc]

Joel played a good game today... he should have anywhere from 1-2 sacks (.5 or 1 on Morelli, .5 or 1 on the backup), depending on how the stat-keepers score it. It's great to have another DL playing well to keep this unit fresh and deep.

 

[MiStar]

Penton may be the most underrated and underappreciated player on this team.

 

[Taosman]

He had,arguably, his best day as a Buckeye, yesterday.

 

[RCollett]

A buddy of mine went to high school with Joel. My buddy said he is probably the nicest guy you will ever meet.

 

[bkochmc]

FYI, Joel's official sack total for the PSU game was 1 for a 4 yard loss... OSU had 3 for the day (Gholston and Rose had the other two).

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK
Penton likely to play more against Spartans

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




Defensive tackle Joel Penton likely will see much more playing time when top-ranked Ohio State plays at Michigan State on Saturday.
Penton, a senior and the primary backup to Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson, is expected to play more because of the knee injury suffered by Patterson last week in the win over Bowling Green. Patterson, a senior co-captain along with Pitcock, had to be helped from the field.
"We probably won?t have David Patterson this week," coach Jim Tressel said yesterday.
The team already was making plans to fill the void.
"It?s a key loss because David Patterson is a great player," Pitcock said. "But at the same time there?s Joel Penton and Todd Denlinger, who have been in the rotation all year long. They will do a tremendous job for us."
Tressel also said redshirt freshman Doug Worthington, who was moved from defensive end to defensive tackle a couple of weeks ago in practice, also might move into the rotation.
Barton expected to play

Right tackle Kirk Barton, suffering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot, also had to leave the game last week but is expected to play this week, Tressel said. Barton apparently has responded well to treatment for the malady, an inflammation of the connective tissue under the heel.
It happened

Until yesterday, center Doug Datish had held his peace on the incident in the Iowa game in which he had his helmet ripped off and then was punched several times by Hawkeyes defender Mitch King.
"My helmet got ripped off, no big deal; getting punched in the face, yeah, that will happen," Datish said. "But getting punched in the face four times with the ref saying, ?Hey, why don?t you stop that? to the guy standing over the top of me ? I was disappointed in how that worked out. If I would do that to somebody and the ref is standing right there looking at me, I?d expect to get called."
Datish was lauded by his teammates last week for not losing his cool and retaliating.
"I?ve gotten personal fouls for retaliation here before, and I know what it?s like to come to the sideline and coach Tressel says something to you, and then coach (Jim) Bollman says something to you, and the grade you get has an MA (missed assignment) on it, and that?s pretty detrimental to your grade," Datish said. "So I just thought that in my head. Plus the ref was there, and I never thought in my wildest dreams that there wouldn?t be a penalty called on that."
Friends in need

Many OSU fans without a ticket to the Indiana game next week might be scrambling to find a way to watch the game on television. It will be televised by ESPNU, which is not readily available on all cable systems (check with your local provider), but is available on a couple of satellite systems. The game is not scheduled to be shown by any of the local over-the-air stations at this time, an OSU spokesman said.
[email protected]

 

[osugrad21]

Link

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PENTON STARTS: Van Wert?s Joel Penton started at defensive tackle in place of an injured David Patterson and had one tackle for a loss on Saturday.
Offensive tackle Kirk Barton says the defensive line has been the key to Ohio State?s defense, which ranks No. 3 nationally in scoring defense.
?A lot of credit has to go to the old guys up front. The guys like Quinn (Pitcock) and Dave (Patterson) and Jay Richardson and Joel Penton. Those are the guys who are really spearheading our defense right now.
?The younger guys like James (Laurinaitis) and Ross Homan and Larry Grant and our secondary guys have really developed and it all goes back to getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback. They?re getting a lot of pressure up front.?[/FONT]