I love Ohio State football. Sometimes I joke about how it is the most important thing in my life and should be the most important thing in any person's life. While that overstates the issue, of course, there is a kernel of truth to it. Ohio State football means something to me. I care.
Truth is, as you probably know, that's exactly why you get fired up e-mails calling for new Coordinators and questioning your ability to "get it done" in the big game. Ohio State fans actually care about Ohio State football, and that is to be encouraged. But, there is also a line.
As I said, I love Ohio State football. I think football itself is the greatest of all man made games, and that Ohio State is the most important of all the teams which play it (save for whatever team my own son happens to be on in little league). But, it is a game. It is a game which brings me JOY.
It took me a while to realize that. In 1998, after Ohio State lost to Michigan State, I finally determined "I can't do this any more." What did I mean? I can't love Ohio State football any more? No. I meant, I can no longer have the outcome of a football game control the remainder of my weekend. I was not a nice guy to be around on days following losses, and finally it occurred to me just how ridiculous that is. Why do I watch Ohio State football? I watch it because it brings me joy and pleasure. If I cannot handle the pain of a loss, then I need to stop watching it altogether. Because letting the success or failure of 18 - 22 year old young men playing a game control whether my wife wants to be near me the next day is beyond absurd.
Don't get me wrong Coach, I still care very deeply about Ohio State football, and I would still prefer perfect seasons and National Championships. When Ohio State looses, I still allow it to effect me emotionally, because I care. But, I now have perspective, I guess, because I'm able to digest a loss and move on to the next time I get to see my Buckeyes playing again. Because Ohio State football brings me joy. And I finally understand that having that joy comes with the all but certain risk that there will be losses along the way.
Like a lot of people, I sit on my lazy boy and think I've got all the answers when I'm watching a game. I see Sanzo virtually uncovered in the slot all game and I wonder, why aren't we just throwing him the football on a 1 step drop? They're saying "Here, have 7 yards" and we're not taking it. I think it is my right, or is otherwise "fair," for me as a fan who cares to have these questions. But, I also realize there's a reason I'm sitting in my lazy boy and you're walking the side-lines. If I can see it, I'm pretty sure YOU can see it.
You haven't won some 80% of the time you've stepped on the field because you're lucky or are simply stumbling in to wins despite yourself. You have a philosophy - a system - that you believe in and it works. You can point to how it works in all those wins on your resume, and in all those Championships. When it stops working consistently, I reserve the right to call for change. But, until that time, it will continue to be my assumption that you know what you're doing out there.
Thank you, Jim Tressel, for giving me the chance to watch my Buckeyes compete on the biggest stages, at the highest levels. Yes, I would have much preferred to have beaten Florida and LSU and Texas and Penn State and USC. But, I'm not fool enough to think you wouldn't have also preferred the same. I can remember a time when Ohio State was a Big Ten also ran and it was Michigan's league each year. I can recall losing to teams who have a long history of being at or near the bottom of the standings. I can remember being happy the Buckeyes were back in the top 25, finally. And I find it ridiculous to complain about a coach who has established Ohio State as a serious contender for the National Championships every season.
Yes. Thank you, Jim Tressel. For winning games. For getting Ohio State to the level where we even have the chance to lose games that matter as much as the USC game did, or the title games did. But, most of all, Coach, Thanks for having thick skin and putting up with the "lunatic fringe" who are never satisfied with anything short of 13-0 seasons and average scores of 45-3.
