This past fall The Ohio State Football program had a historic year which ended with a win over Notre Dame in the College Football National Championship on Jan. 20, 2025. The players left a massive impact on the sport. With one of the top wide receiver groups in the nation they act as role models to kids all over the world. But their greatest accomplishment this season took place off the field, as these players took their faith and used their platform to make an impact for a cause bigger than themselves.
“I feel like this season the players are not only growing as humans but are more driven on the field because they are playing for so much more than themselves,” Ohio State Assistant Football Coach Rob Keys said.
Towards the start of the season former player Kamryn Babb led the event, “The Fall Kickoff: An Invitation to Jesus,” alongside current players Emecka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, J.T. Tuimoloau and others who shared their testimonies. The players used this day to teach people about God and spread His Word. The players had 10,000 Bibles prepared to hand out as they baptized over 60 students on campus.
“Hearing their testimonies helped me to understand what it’s like to truly hold a relationship with God,” junior Cameron Oleski said.
Not only did they spread their faith to those on campus, but they took it to the media too. The Rose Bowl took place on Jan 1, 2025, was viewed by over 21.1 million people all over the world. Prior to the game on the field almost all of the team took a knee in prayer, while some players wrote Bible verses in their eye black. “God is good” was a phrase heard in countless postgame interviews.
“When people who I look up to in society are willing to step out of their comfort zone to make a change, it helps me to do the same and care less of what others may think,” sophomore Megan Westbrook said.
These players show others to stand up for their beliefs and to not be embarrassed. They have encouraged people from all different backgrounds to do so, no matter what it is you believe in. Christian or not, the decisions being made by these players is a message to everyone to not be afraid to stick out and spread your story to impact the lives of others.