Urban Meyer takes a big stand for Ohio State football fans that shows why Buckeye Nation will always have a spot for him
If there is one person who really understands Ohio State football in the national media, it has to be Urban Meyer.
The former Ohio State coach and now Fox analyst won a National Championship in Columbus and never lost to Michigan. Having accomplished both of those things, Meyer has earned appreciation from Buckeye Nation forever.
Recently on The Triple Option podcast, Meyer took a big stand for what football means to the folks in Ohio. Ohio State fans have been ripped quite a bit the last couple of years because of the heat they have given Ryan Day when the team has fallen short.
“There’s really one place, and I’m biased … I’m from the great state of Ohio, where football is born in your blood,” Meyer said. “You realize when you are born in Columbus, Ohio, they give you a ‘beat that team up north’ shirt? In Canton, Ohio, you’re born, in Massillon, they put a football, if you’re a boy, in your crib when you’re born.
“And people say that’s insanity, I agree with you. You’re out of your mind. But I’ll tell you one thing, you can never worry about an open seat at Ohio Stadium. You can never worry about a program that’s not gonna be funded by the people, because they are complete, absolute, nut jobs.”
Ohio State fans expect the Buckeyes to bear Michigan each season and to compete for a National Championship. The Buckeyes have fallen to Michigan four straight times, but are a game away from winning it all. Thanks to the expanded College Football Playoff format, Ohio State’s loss to Michigan didn’t derail their season.
The pressure of coaching Ohio State comes with the job. Day has been very open about knowing that the pressure comes with this territory. Some fans of other programs don’t get it, partially because of the mediocrity some teams have put out in the last couple of decades.
“I love passionate fan bases because I’ve seen the opposite (of that),” Meyer defended. “I’m very defensive of the Ohio State fan base because I’m one of them. I grew up a Buckeye (and) I understand football is a way. It’s not a pastime. America’s pastime? No. It’s a way of life.”
Ohio State will take on Notre Dame in the National Championship next Monday. A win would give Ohio State fans their first title to celebrate in a decade.