Former Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy recipient Troy Smith teed off with Ohio State football alumni and fans at a charity golf tournament. The event was a swing at supporting mental health initiatives and ensuring current Buckeye players benefit from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs.
Among the roster of participants, notable Buckeyes like Tedd Ginn Jr., Beanie Wells, and former coach Jim Tressel joined the cause. According to ABC6, proceeds from the charity event went to "Don't Make It Weird," a foundation established by former Buckeye offensive lineman Harry Miller, after he medically retired in 2022 and became a mental health advocate.
Smith and his Buckeye brethren highlighted the importance of mental health awareness, stressing the weight it holds in and out of sports. "Harry Miller is a good friend of mine," Smith said. "He's been through a lot. We all have been through a lot. Mental health is paramount and incredibly real for everyone until you have the right thought process until you have the different things that you can go to in your tool belt to help you deal with some of the ups and downs you go through. Things like this are important," CW Columbus reported.
NIL deals have been a game-changing element for collegiate athletes, and the charity event also aimed to bolster this new avenue of support for players. Funds raised were earmarked for the foundation, specifically aiding the Buckeyes offense and laying the groundwork for athletes to thrive both on and off the field. It's a course change in college sports that has been gaining momentum since its inception.
