WATCH: Brian Hartline recounts Jim Tressel’s ability to remember names

Jim Tressel doesn’t forget names. Ohio State’s Brian Hartline tells a fantastic story of him remembering a name from a meeting years prior.

Sometimes you run across a story that you have a hard time believing, but knowing the person that Jim Tressel is, it’s actually not that hard to fathom.

Former Ohio State wide receiver and current assistant coach Brian Hartline took some time to talk with CBS Sports’ Barton Simmons last week, and he had a story to tell about the “senator.” Remember, Hartline played under Tressel from 2006 to 2008, so he was pretty close to the sweater vest for three years.

Hartline recalled introducing his new girlfriend and father to Tressel at one of the OSU spring games, only to be befuddled and amazed at the same time. That’s because when Hartline went to introduce his girlfriend’s dad by name Tressel already knew it, but not for the reason you’d think.

It was really no reason at all. To hear Hartline tell it, the dad was just … a dad, yet Tressel remembered meeting him at some function years before and still remembered and recalled his name without anyone reminding him. The girlfriend’s father was also a bit taken aback. When Hartline went to inquire about the weird exchange, Tressel had some words we can all live by.

“Hart (Hartline), the moment you start putting other people’s importance before yours, you’ll remember their name too.”

You can watch Hartline tell the quick story for yourself by clicking on the below video shared to Twitter by Barton Simmons.

That’s pretty amazing, but I can believe it. I began covering Ohio State football just a few years ago, after Tressel left. However, being a fan and knowing how to find his email address at Ohio State at the time, I emailed him on probably three occasions. He answered them all.

And that, is how you put others ahead of yourself. You live it daily.

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