• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Great story about a Great Buckeye fan.

Throughout the last two years, on the worst of days, I have held onto an image of the Ohio State that I grew up with. A place where players signed photos for you and coaches said hello. A place filled with a kind of humanness, a sense of goodwill and decency, a goodness: something that I could not describe and which I felt so incredibly unable to describe. In some posts I have tried to convey this and found myself saying rather trite things like, "we're the good guys."

Think about when this guy was brought to Ohio State. Nobody had to do anything, yet they all rose to do this because of a shared sense of human values that is very rare to find anywhere in the world today.

Think about all the urgent things that people had to do and the important matters (such as the TSUN game) that were on their minds.

Think about all the good people in the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State. Archie crossing the street to visit. All the human links in this chain that were necessary to make this special day happen for this Buckeye fan.

And then tell me not to resent what people have tried to do Ohio State. Tell me about a program out of control. Tell me about "just in it for the money."

For all of you visiting this site, if you want to understand Ohio State, read this story. THIS is Ohio State. THIS is why we are Buckeye fans. THIS is why we can go all over the world but our hearts never leave the banks of the Olentangy River. THIS is why we stand as one Buckeye Nation. THIS is what Ohio State has always been and what it will always be.
 
Upvote 0
WOW, what a story. This is a feel-good article, mad props to JT and his team, they really helped a man achieve his dream. Sad part is guy doesnt have much time to live, but I'm very happy that he got to accomplish his dream. Go Bucks
 
Upvote 0
As practice concluded, the Buckeyes huddled up and Tressel asked Neil if there was anything they could do for him.

"Yeah," said Neil Shuff, reverting to the mantra of all devout Ohio State fans. "Beat Michigan."
Neil has his priorities in order.
 
Upvote 0
Read this this morning in the Blade. Great article.

Just goes to show that not only is Jim Tressel is a great football coach, he is also a great person and an outstanding example of character.

Hopefully, Jim and the boys can bring another national championship home for Neil.

Go Bucks.
 
Upvote 0
Man - that was indeed one hell of a story.

I was prompted to send the writer an e-mail thanking him for writing this.

Coming in a week which saw little but bad press from the courthouse steps -- it was particularly refreshing to see the true, positive, spirit and character of the team, coach, program and (of course) its fans summed up in this one story.
 
Upvote 0
Good to hear stuff like this. The people out there who don't know what Ohio State is all about...the people who only hear what ESPN tells them...they need to read this and see what this program and its staff is all about. I am from Youngstown and I've followed Tressel's career for a long time. This is what he's about. Community, helping people. That's the way he is.
 
Upvote 0
Neil Shuff (Dec. 26, 1972 - Jun. 20, 2005)

Neil passed away last week. I'm Neil's cousin from New York. I am very close to Neil and his family. His experience in Columbus with the Ohio State Buckeyes was the highlight of his life. It meant so much to him and to his family and friends. They will never forget the kindness that the Ohio State program showed Neil.

He is now in peace...dressed in all his Buckeyes parephenalia. The flowers...even the casket bore the OSU colors. At the service, there were chants of "OH"..."IO"...He and his family are true fans.

Please remember Neil when the Bucs score that first touchdown.
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top