“Knee surgery” are two words that athletes never want to hear. Especially one week before the Big Ten Championship Game.
That was Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett’s fate, however.
After re-aggravating a season-long meniscus injury in the Michigan game, the decision was made to perform arthroscopic surgery to finally fix Barrett’s knee.
Before finding out that he was going to require surgery, however, he said he would be ready to play against Wisconsin in the B1G Championship Game. After finding out that surgery would be needed, his personal timeline never wavered.
“So it was funny, when they said I’ve gotta have surgery to clean it up in there and the recovery time is normally three to four weeks, I was like, ‘We don’t really have that kind of time,'” Barrett recounted.
“So I was here all day, every day whether it be watching film in the training room. I had like a little station set up. They hooked me up, so I was able to watch film and ice my knee, get treatment things like that. So it was just a constant thing throughout last week and just trying to get myself prepared. But, yeah, normally you get your knee scoped and it’s three-, four-week type deal.”
Through it all, Urban Meyer was getting constant updates.
“When a trainer looks at me says it’s 50/50, automatically my mind goes 80/20,” Meyer said. “As it gets closer to the weekend, ‘Boy, it’s looking good — 60 or 70 percent.’ Okay, that’s 100.”
Time cannot be manipulated, but each day has 24 hours to use to the fullest. Barrett and the Ohio State training staff found a way to cram two or three weeks of recovery into six days. It wasn’t easy, and it would have been completely impossible if Barrett wasn’t willing to do whatever it took to get back on the field.
What drove him to find a way back so quickly?
“I think, I don’t know, the love I have for the team, honestly,” he said. “Like what we go through constantly throughout the offseason and those bonds you build through those trying times of working out and just the growth of bringing the team together. I think that’s ultimately why you play the game of football is because the team building that it has and the love you have for your brothers.
“And Coach asks a question, ‘What would you do for your brother?’ And it’s one of those things, ‘Well, I’d do anything.’ It’s something you could say, but I try to also show that through my actions, and I think that’s just part of it.”
J.T. Barrett will leave Ohio State as the football program’s only three-time captain and the most productive quarterback in school history, but what he went through in the week between the Michigan game and Wisconsin game should not be forgotten.
And when asked what Barrett proved to Meyer over that jam-packed week, it was clear that Meyer’s opinion of Barrett had been solidified a very long time ago.
“He’s a rare guy, rare breed,” Meyer said, “And so he doesn’t need to prove anything else.”
I’m just pleased that the guy never lost to Michigan as a starter. How many other QB’s who played for tOSU can say that really? And of those who can, I’m never going to yawn!
Barrett’s going to be a great coach, great motivator. As for not having to “prove anything,” I still have to feel that, like probably somewhere around 90% of close observers of his game, he has not convinced me that he can consistently hit moving targets in stride 15 yards beyond the sticks.
Amazing stat : 45 tds in ‘14 and 45 in ‘17. And on a pair of legs that carried the ball comparable to the volume that heisman trophy RB Eddie George churned our in his time. Think about the toll that takes when you need your legs to pass.
thats great and all, but if you are gonna keep it 100%, he almosts cost the team the game and very well could’ve cost tOSU a playoff spot. He didn’t need to come back in a week for tOSU to beat Wisconsin. He kept Wisconsin in the game to be honest.
Might not be soon, but parts of Buckeye Nation will regret how they’ve treated J.T. not just this season, but since his RS sophomore year. Makes me think that Rex Kern would be treated the same way today and that’s a sad thought.
By treated I must think you mean throwing stuff at him, spitting at him or threatening phone calls and letters? I hope you don’t mean criticizing him or his play which is really criticizing the coaching and play calling. I’ve done all of the latter and years down the line when someone mentions Barrett which will subsequently REMIND me of Barrett, I for one will regret nothing. Maybe just yawn.
The deluded state of mind Meyer has for JT Barrett never ceases to amaze. So, he automatically takes a trainer’s evaluation and increases it by 30%, huh? That’s SMART. And “60 or 70%” equals 100%?? Really? Wish this guy was my Calculus teacher back in high school…
So, before all you whack jobs light me up about daring to question JT Barrett, re-read the comments- its about Meyer. I am a JT fan and don’t question his toughness or commitment for a second. Its dangerously irresponsible for any coach to willingly and knowingly toss a freshly operated on player into competition which, by their own statements, was AT LEAST two weeks premature. That was selfish as can be on Meyer’s part. Before you blast away, ask yourselves-HONESTLY- if you would have approved of your son being out there under those parameters. That was stupid, period.
Ohio State has doctors who clear players. Coaches don’t do it. Coaches aren’t part of the conversation.
Tony- there’s this bridge in Brooklyn for sale… And your entire article revolved around this coach’s conversation and completely omitted any mention of physician clearance. It was a needlessly reckless move for JT to play, and the COACH should have put the brakes to it.
Doctors clear players. Coaches shouldn’t question doctors.
Rigghhtt, they shouldn’t- we agree! So where in the information YOU provided- a QB at 70% who was ONE THIRD of the way into recovery time- do you see a WISE decision by anyone involved here? Of course JT would volunteer to play, he’s a gamer- and he’s not who I’m talking about. Its the folks who are supposed to be looking out for his best interests ABOVE him- which was my original point. There’s not enough Koolaid out there to turn this one on its head. It was thoughtless and dangerous- after all, Meyer himself said JT doesn’t need to “prove anything else”. I just hope he a) didn’t injure himself further in Wisky game and b) is TRULY healthy for USC.
He didn’t miss a snap, so his knee must have been fine.
Yet another knee jerk reaction by Mr. Longtime Fan, who has made it clear that he dislikes everything about Urban Meyer, and almost everything about Tony. Mr. Longtime Fan, what part of “doctors medically clear players to play, coaches don’t” don’t you understand? So first you lay into your favorite nemesis, Meyer, and then you attack Tony for politely telling you that it’s a doctor’s decision. And then you rationalize your rant by saying Meyer SHOULD have kept Barrett sidelined. And you top it off by calling other posters whack jobs. You must be a joy to be around.
Well Walt, you are certainly an expert on jerks, so I’ll defer to you on that one.
Crazy me, I just point out the rampant illogic and double talk and wait for buffoons like you to reply- its the meaning behind my existence (that’s “sarcasm”, Walt). Back to reality:
1) The stuff about JTs knee is beyond sketchy, anyone with even half a functioning brain can see that. It was foolish and selfish for his treatment to be rushed especially when it was made public he was nowhere near 100 percent, whether he agreed or not.
2) Urban Meyer is not my favorite nemesis. My favorite nemesis in college football is UM, followed by Ped State, then the SEC as a whole. I will admit that I don’t like it when our coaches or fan bases adopt characteristics of those institutions- I think we should separate ourselves rather than be lumped in with them.
3) I’ve never met Tony so I can’t say I “dislike” him- and neither can you. Many of his articles pump too much sunshine for my taste is all.
4) Was that an attempt at humor when you used the phrase “knee jerk” in relation to an article about JT’s injry? Nah, didn’t think so.
Crawl back under the bridge, Walt – its snowing outside!
Well, Mr. Longtime Fan, I live in Montana, so I am not a stranger to snow. And I don’t live under a bridge, which I’m guessing is your way of implying I’m a troll. That is true to a certain extent; I enjoy getting under your skin, although it’s not much of a challenge to do so. And it must be terrible for you, who seem to be constantly looking for negative things to say about Meyer, to have Tony put a little sunshine in your life. Personally, I think his articles are fairly well balanced and objective. But keep posting. I enjoy reading what you have to say. Really.
You may as well change your handle to “Drooling Bobble Head” , Walt. You are not under MY skin, its you who keeps waiting for my comments so you can jump in. Also, I don’t enjoy passive aggressive nonsense like what you just wrote, and I most certainly don’t enjoy what you have to say- your comments are completely absent of substance. Come to think of it, maybe “Cotton Candy” fits you better? “Rainbow Unicorn” perhaps? You get the idea…or maybe not. Doesn’t matter anyway.
One more thing: In 2014, J.T.’s first season as a starter, he was responsible for 45 TDs passing and rushing. In 2017, his last season with the Buckeyes, to date he’s been responsible for…45 TDs passing and rushing.
J.T. Barrett is a warrior and a consummate Buckeye. I predict that years from now his legend will grow, much as happened with Rex Kern, Craig Krenzel, Earle Bruce and John Cooper. He didn’t give Buckeye fans 100% – he gave 150%, far more than most of us could begin to imagine.
I hope he goes out on a very high note with a victorious outing against USC and a stellar performance, but let it be said at this point he has nothing more to prove.
Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow, Tate Martell and others will have their time to shine starting next season, but we all should revel in everything J.T. gave us over the past five years. We’ll only fully appreciate it in the years to come.
Thanks, J.T.!
Krenzel has a championship. There is no legend to “grow”. What exactly will I appreciate regarding Barrett years from now? I appreciate his toughness and loyalty to team now. Anything done on the field will make me yawn 20 years from now as it does now! On the other hand, if he actually did give us an unimaginable 150%, then you may be right.
JT Barrett is an incredible athlete with an incredible work ethic and leadership qualities. The Buckeye Nation, its alumni and fans, are blessed to have JT Barrett as part of THE Ohio State University football lore. What he apparently had to undergo and accomplish during the week from the TTUN victory and the B1G Championship Game set a bar of excellence that every person can draw upon as we go through life’s challenges. Thank you JT for your devotion to the Buckeye team you were fortunate to be part of, and they you because you are in Coach’s words: “He’s a rare guy, rare breed,” Meyer said, “And so he doesn’t need to prove anything else.” Have a wonderful experience from now through the days leading up to the Cotton Bowl and during the entire Cotton Bowl game on 12/29/2017, You and the team deserve it. Go tOSU Bucks! Beat USC.