Days Before Ohio State’s Matchup with Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship, the Team Kicks Off a Player
The energy inside Ohio Stadium was electric. The Buckeyes were just days away from their biggest game of the season—the College Football Playoff National Championship against Notre Dame. Fans filled the stands, their voices rising and falling like a wave of anticipation. The campus was abuzz with activity, tailgates lined the parking lots, and students, alumni, and players alike were all eagerly awaiting the biggest game in college football.
But amidst the excitement and preparation for the game, a storm was brewing behind closed doors. Something was about to rock the team to its core.
The News Breaks
The call came early in the morning, hours before Ohio State’s scheduled practice. It was from the athletic director, a voice laced with both frustration and resolve. The Buckeyes had been hit with a situation they hadn’t anticipated.
A top player on the team, a key part of their offensive scheme, had been involved in a serious violation of team rules. The specifics of the incident were still unclear, but what was certain was that the player would no longer be part of the team for the remainder of the season. The decision had been made: the player would be kicked off the team just days before the national championship game.
Head coach Ryan Day was informed just before sunrise, his mind racing as he processed the news. He’d been in the game long enough to know that adversity came in many forms, but this was a test like none other.
It wasn’t just about the Xs and Os now—it was about leadership, team cohesion, and sending a message to both the team and the fans. The players needed to see that there would be no compromises when it came to discipline, no exceptions, even in the final moments before a national title game.
The Player’s Background
The player in question was a wide receiver, one of Ohio State’s most dynamic and explosive talents. Known for his incredible speed, sharp route-running, and clutch performances throughout the season, he was the go-to target in critical moments. Many had pegged him as a future NFL prospect, and he’d been one of the most highly recruited athletes to come through Ohio State in recent years.
But the player had always been a bit of a wildcard, a talent with an edge that had sometimes sparked controversy. There had been whispers of off-field issues—rumors of missed curfews, disagreements with coaches, and an overall sense that he wasn’t always fully invested in the team’s values. Still, his raw talent had kept him on the field, and his big-play ability was often enough to excuse the behavior.
But now, in the final days before the national championship, the stakes were higher than ever. The incident that led to his dismissal was serious enough to outweigh his on-field contributions. And as much as it hurt, the decision had been made for the good of the program.
The Fallout
The news of the player’s dismissal hit the team hard. Players learned of the decision during their early-morning team meeting, a session that had been intended to focus solely on game prep. The mood shifted immediately.
Some players were shocked. Others were disappointed, but there was no question about the leadership from Coach Day. He had made it clear that this wasn’t just about football—it was about integrity, discipline, and respect for the team and the program. He acknowledged that it was a tough decision, but he also made it clear that the team needed to rally around the core values that had gotten them to this point.
“We are a family,” Day said during the meeting. “And sometimes, families have to make difficult decisions. This isn’t easy for any of us, but we need to stay focused on what’s ahead. We can’t let this derail our goal. We are still going to play for each other, and we are going to play for Ohio State.”
Despite Coach Day’s rallying cry, there was tension in the room. Players exchanged glances, unsure of how to process what had just happened. Some of the veterans, including the team captains, spoke up. They emphasized that this was an opportunity to show what Ohio State football was really about—perseverance, unity, and commitment to the greater good.
The next few days were filled with tension, but also with a sense of resolve. The players took to the practice field with a heightened sense of focus. They knew the road to the national title had gotten even harder. It was no longer just about executing the game plan—it was about proving that they could rise above adversity and continue moving forward as a team.
The Response from the Fans
As word spread about the dismissal, the fanbase reacted with mixed emotions. Many expressed disappointment, citing that the timing was unfortunate and questioning whether Ohio State could overcome such a significant loss in the lead-up to the championship. But others, especially longtime supporters of the program, applauded the decision. They appreciated Coach Day’s unwavering stance on discipline and felt it was a necessary action to maintain the integrity of the team.
Social media exploded with a range of opinions. Some fans took to Twitter to express their frustration, questioning the program’s handling of the situation. Others, however, used the hashtag #NextManUp to rally behind the team, sending messages of support for the players who remained.
Notre Dame, for its part, responded with typical confidence. The Fighting Irish knew that Ohio State had just suffered a setback, and they were ready to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses. Their own head coach, Marcus Freeman, publicly acknowledged that Ohio State’s dismissal of the player was a “distraction,” but he also made it clear that Notre Dame’s focus was entirely on the game, not the drama off the field.
“We’re here to play football,” Freeman said in a press conference. “We’re not going to concern ourselves with what’s happening on the other side. We’ve got a championship to win.”
Rallying Around the Loss
In the days leading up to the game, Ohio State’s remaining players seemed to adopt a “rally around the cause” mentality. With one of their stars no longer available, they needed to step up in new ways. The coaches quickly adjusted the game plan to feature more of the established players, and some of the younger athletes were given a chance to prove themselves in practice.
Quarterback Kyle McCord, who had enjoyed an exceptional season, took it upon himself to rally his teammates. McCord understood that the dismissal of a key player could have a demoralizing effect, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He gathered the team together multiple times, reminding them that they were in this together.
“It’s up to us now,” McCord said during one such huddle. “We’ve got what it takes. Let’s show the world who we really are.”
As the days ticked down to the championship game, the Buckeyes’ focus sharpened. The coaching staff worked tirelessly to prepare for Notre Dame’s defense, knowing that the loss of the star receiver would require the offense to evolve. They would rely more heavily on their running backs and tight ends, and they would need to stretch the field in different ways to keep Notre Dame’s defense guessing.
The absence of their star wide receiver forced Ohio State to dig deeper into their playbook, and while the loss of a key player was undoubtedly a blow, it also provided an opportunity for others to step up.
Game Day
On the day of the national championship, the atmosphere at the stadium was electric. Fans poured into the stands, proudly sporting Ohio State’s colors, and the energy was palpable. But for the Buckeyes, the real battle was taking place in the locker room and on the field.
The players understood that this wasn’t just about winning a game. It was about proving to themselves, and to the world, that they could overcome adversity and stay true to their principles. They had rallied around their coach’s message, and as they took the field, they were determined to leave it all on the line.
The first half was a fierce battle. Notre Dame came out swinging, and Ohio State, without its star player, was forced to fight back harder than ever. But every time the Fighting Irish seemed to gain momentum, the Buckeyes dug deeper. McCord was sharp, the running game was effective, and the defense stepped up with key turnovers at crucial moments.
As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, Ohio State found themselves in a nail-biting position—down by a single touchdown. It was a moment of truth. But the Buckeyes, now playing for each other more than ever, pushed forward with everything they had.
In the final minutes, McCord led a remarkable drive, finding his open man on a crucial third-down pass. With just seconds left on the clock, a touchdown pass to a backup receiver sealed the victory for Ohio State, securing their national championship. The stadium erupted in joy as the team celebrated not just the win, but the journey that had brought them there.