[Editor’s Note: From now until Big Ten Media Days, we’ll be reaching into The-Ozone’s 23 years worth of archives and each day we will be posting a story from yesteryear. Big moments, small moments, big games, bigger games, and the random recruiting updates about guys you haven’t thought about in a decade or two.]
January 8, 2001 | This story comes from John Porentas and covers the gut-wrenching announcement by Ohio State two-time All-American safety Mike Doss that he was returning for his senior season. When he stepped up to the podium to announce his decision, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. He ended up speaking from the heart, and the rest is Ohio State history. In returning to the Buckeyes, Doss helped lead Ohio State to a BCS Championship and earned All-American status for a third-consecutive season. — TG
There had been talk all year, but the speculation began in earnest the moment the Michigan game ended. Would OSU junior All-American safety Mike Doss opt out of his senior year at Ohio State and head for the big time, and big money, of the NFL, or would he stay for his senior season at Ohio State?
Opinions were plentiful, with most of the “smart money” betting Doss would head for greener pastures and make himself available for the NFL draft. The “smart money” was sure that Doss had already decided but was playing his cards close to the vest on his announcement.
When a press gathering was called yesterday, the “smart money” was looking pretty good. It’s not often a press conference is called to announce that you are staying in school. Press conferences, more often than not, are called when a player has decided he is moving on.
But the “smart money” was wrong. Not only had Doss not decided that he was going to the NFL when he arrived at his press conference, he had also not decided if he was staying either.
“When you walked the room today, did you know what you were going to say when you got to the podium,” queried a reporter after Doss made his announcement.
“I was positive,” said Doss.
“You were sure when you walked in the room,” responded the surprised reporter.
“I was positive that I did not know what I was going to say,” responded Doss, bringing a loud chuckle from the assembled reporters.
“I just walked in here with my bible. I sat in the car for about an hour watching all you guys pull up, thinking about things to say and what not, but I really didn’t know. I just spoke to my mother and then just came here and spoke from the heart. Definitely you could say that you watched me decide right here,” said Doss.
Those in attendance saw a memorable moment. Doss obviously struggled for words, struggled to maintain his composure, struggled to hold back the tears. What no one but Doss knew at the time was that those were simple outward signs of the struggle that was going on within him as he stood there before the cameras and reporters actually trying to decide what to do.
Below is a transcript of what he said. His statement was punctuated with long pauses as the struggle within him raged. We’ve added notes for those pauses within the body of the text.
“This has been a trying week for me. I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about my career, and thinking about myself as a man.
I’ve contemplated both sides, one way, then the other way (long pause) and the Lord Jesus gave an answer.
As you know, I’ve been playing football since I was eight. My dream was to play in the National Football League, and now the opportunity has arrived (long pause).
I had to really ask myself ‘Is this the best thing for Michael Doss?’ Not being raised by my mother, being raised by my guardian, my dream was to take care of my mother the first opportunity I had. I thought as a sophomore in high school that in five years, two more in high school and three in college, that this would be the opportunity for me to make a choice. I just thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to make a choice.
I’m 20 years old and no one knows what the future holds. For one thing, for myself (very long pause) what the future holds (very, very long pause, very emotional at podium, holding back tears)…In talking to my mother an hour ago, (long pause) and asking her (long pause) what she would like for her son to do, (extremely long pause, some sniffling)…I love my mother to death. Nothing can ever change that. My mother told me…living in a two-bedroom apartment, with nothing to survive on but her son, (long pause, very emotional, some sniffling) my mother told me to get my education. I will be returning back to Ohio State. Thank you.”
The silence in the room following his statement was deafening, and was broken after an awkward moment by applause from the media. Later, Doss explained what had happened.
“I made my mind up that when I got to the podium to speak from my heart,” he said.
Doss, who aspires to work in the media, has taken a long-term outlook on his life.
“Twenty years from now I won’t be playing football. I hope to be doing your job, be asking some junior at Ohio State what he’s deciding to do about his future. I just decided to stick it through. I’m here on scholarship. I came to Ohio State to get an education as well as play football. I think the education is the key to success,” he said.
Doss has postponed the NFL in favor of education. He also felt other compelling reasons to stay at Ohio State. One of those reasons was loyalty to his teammates.
“My dream was to play in the national football league and just be at the highest level of competition, but at the same time you’re still playing the game of football, which is just a game.
“I felt that being here with my teammates, my 1999 class and those guys, and being a senior and being with my friends one more time before I got out into the business world of the NFL, I just decided to go ahead and do that,” said Doss.
It was a gutsy decision, particularly since his draft outlook was quite good.
“The advisory committee of the NFL gives you a composite score of eight different people and where they think you’re going to go. Mine was as high as the second round. Who can complain? Being in the second round would be a dream, and if I worked hard and had good combines, I had a chance to get myself into the first round. The worst anybody had me was the late third round,” said Doss.
Education and team loyalty were not the only factors in his decision.
“I just figure I ought to try to be a leader in the community,” he said.
“I’m only 20 years old, but it’s a lot of pressure on an athlete in general, professional or collegiate, being looked at as role models. That kind of figured into the decision, being a standup type of guy that gave back to the community which gave so much to you. Ohio State gave me the opportunity to go to college. I think that young kids needed a role model. Hopefully I can help out for those young students.”
Doss was appreciative of the support he received from the OSU coaching staff as he contemplated his decision after the end of the season.
“I’ve been constantly talking with Coach Mel Tucker, every other day, almost every day. He calls and leaves me a message, making sure I’m not stressed out and looking out for my best interests,” said Doss.
“Coach Tucker told me I have to do what’s best for me, and he was going to back me up no matter what. Coach Tressel said the same thing. He told me he was going to back me no matter what decision I made. Coach Mark Dantonio said the same thing. I really respect those guys for coming to me and saying no matter what decision I made, they were going to stand behind me.”
So, we suspect, are a lot of other people around the state of Ohio.