There is a new tradition that [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] has embraced since 2020, the “Block 0” jersey, honoring former Buckeye great [autotag]Bill Willis[/autotag].
Willis broke the color barrier for professional football with the Cleveland Browns, and wore No. 99 in Columbus, but when the NCAA allowed players to wear the number 0 in 2020, Ohio State found a way to honor Willis.
Only four former players have worn the “Block 0,” defensive lineman [autotag]Jonathan Cooper[/autotag], offensive tackle [autotag]Thayer Mumford[/autotag] and last year, wide receiver Kamryn Babb. Another receiver, [autotag]Xavier Johnson[/autotag] was selected to wear the jersey this fall, but Ohio State’s social media account went a bit further to provide more background on the decision.
They released a short video about this history of the “Block 0” jersey, why Johnson was selected, and a special message from Babb. Watch the video below as the former walk-on will forever be entrenched in Buckeye history.
2023 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐎 Recipient, 𝐗𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 🅾️
@J5Xavier pic.twitter.com/2MMhdY6bDJ— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 23, 2023
Ohio State has a bushel of really cool traditions, and this one fits right along with others that are revered.
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