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MASK OFF: TRACY SPRINKLE'S JOURNEY OF PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND PURPOSE
The Ohio State University prides itself on the people, the tradition and the excellence of its athletics programs. Buckeye traditions and the excellence need no introduction. But how well do we know the people? Fans know players by the awe-inspiring feats they perform. Mask Off takes a closer look at those individuals as human beings.
Tracy Sprinkle was – and will forever be – an Ohio State football captain, a National Champion, a two-time Big Ten Champion and the owner of five pairs of Gold Pants. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves.
Anchoring the interior of Ohio State's defensive line, Sprinkle was a Goliath on the field. In the broader context of life, however, Sprinkle more resembles the biblical David. The odds have been stacked against him since birth.
In high school in Elyria, Sprinkle struggled to stay on track. Contending with hardships, he persevered and signed as the lowest-ranked member of an Ohio State recruiting class that included names like Vonn Bell, Joey Bosa, Eli Apple and Ezekiel Elliott.
After a season with the Buckeyes, Sprinkle's football career came to an end – or so it seemed. He was dismissed from the team after being arrested and charged with crimes including drug possession and failure to disperse.
When it emerged that the charges against Sprinkle were less severe than originally reported, and that he would be cleared of drug charges, Urban Meyer decided to give him a second chance. He was reinstated and played in every game in 2015.
In 2016, having already overcome staggering odds, Sprinkle savored walking on to the field for his first game as a starter – his proudest moment as a Buckeye. But the triumph was short-lived. During the first quarter of play, he ruptured his patellar tendon. His season was over and, likely with it, his football career.
What followed is already Buckeye lore. Sprinkle became the heart and soul of the 2016 team from the sideline. According to defensive line coach Larry Johnson, his work ethic in rehab was legendary. He earned the respect of his teammates and his coaches in the gym and the locker room. He was elected as a captain for the 2017 season and started every game on arguably the best defensive line in school history.
As of the publication of this piece, Sprinkle is in Miami training for the NFL draft. Despite all that Sprinkle has overcome and all he has achieved, he is not considered a top prospect. In fact, he is not projected to be drafted by any major outlets. The odds are once again stacked against Tracy Sprinkle, and he will once again battle – with the quiet confidence and steady determination of someone who has seen the bottom – to eclipse his critics.
Whether Sprinkle is drafted will make a huge difference in his life. For all that he has overcome, he has yet to reap the financial fruits of his labor. Regardless of his performance wearing pads, though, Sprinkle is living a remarkable human life.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-journey-of-patience-perseverance-and-purpose
The Ohio State University prides itself on the people, the tradition and the excellence of its athletics programs. Buckeye traditions and the excellence need no introduction. But how well do we know the people? Fans know players by the awe-inspiring feats they perform. Mask Off takes a closer look at those individuals as human beings.
Tracy Sprinkle was – and will forever be – an Ohio State football captain, a National Champion, a two-time Big Ten Champion and the owner of five pairs of Gold Pants. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves.
Anchoring the interior of Ohio State's defensive line, Sprinkle was a Goliath on the field. In the broader context of life, however, Sprinkle more resembles the biblical David. The odds have been stacked against him since birth.
In high school in Elyria, Sprinkle struggled to stay on track. Contending with hardships, he persevered and signed as the lowest-ranked member of an Ohio State recruiting class that included names like Vonn Bell, Joey Bosa, Eli Apple and Ezekiel Elliott.
After a season with the Buckeyes, Sprinkle's football career came to an end – or so it seemed. He was dismissed from the team after being arrested and charged with crimes including drug possession and failure to disperse.
When it emerged that the charges against Sprinkle were less severe than originally reported, and that he would be cleared of drug charges, Urban Meyer decided to give him a second chance. He was reinstated and played in every game in 2015.
In 2016, having already overcome staggering odds, Sprinkle savored walking on to the field for his first game as a starter – his proudest moment as a Buckeye. But the triumph was short-lived. During the first quarter of play, he ruptured his patellar tendon. His season was over and, likely with it, his football career.
What followed is already Buckeye lore. Sprinkle became the heart and soul of the 2016 team from the sideline. According to defensive line coach Larry Johnson, his work ethic in rehab was legendary. He earned the respect of his teammates and his coaches in the gym and the locker room. He was elected as a captain for the 2017 season and started every game on arguably the best defensive line in school history.
As of the publication of this piece, Sprinkle is in Miami training for the NFL draft. Despite all that Sprinkle has overcome and all he has achieved, he is not considered a top prospect. In fact, he is not projected to be drafted by any major outlets. The odds are once again stacked against Tracy Sprinkle, and he will once again battle – with the quiet confidence and steady determination of someone who has seen the bottom – to eclipse his critics.
Whether Sprinkle is drafted will make a huge difference in his life. For all that he has overcome, he has yet to reap the financial fruits of his labor. Regardless of his performance wearing pads, though, Sprinkle is living a remarkable human life.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-journey-of-patience-perseverance-and-purpose
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