You would think that after defeating the team up north in another epic rivalry game Buckeye nation would be exuberant about being one step closer to a college football playoffs birth. After the game it felt as if it was lost as it was announced that Heisman hopeful J.T. Barrett would be out for the remainder of the season due to a fractured ankle. The injury came at a horrific time as the Buckeyes are fighting to win their first Big Ten championship game against a dangerous Wisconsin team. I have the upmost respect for Cardale Jones, but it created a different feel knowing that the team would be without Barrett. I am firm believer that Ohio State doesn’t recruit– they reload so I want to say that I expect Jones to have the keys to the team.
On the other hand it sucks to see a player like Barrett go down in that fashion. This is a player that missed his senior season in high school due to injury, and the injury bug bit him again when things were on the up for him. You hate to see anyone get hurt, and in this case Barrett was the recipient of bad news.
Now talking about a tear-jerker.
Ohio State walk-on defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge was reported missing a few days prior to Thanksgiving day. Reports stated that Karageorge went on a walk in the wee hours in the morning and left his phone and other items at home. Karageorge was absent from practice the next few days, and it happen to be the week that he would have gotten the starting nod the last game at home since it was a senior day.
A search was initiated to find Karageorge, and on Sunday he was found dead in a dumpster with a self-inflicted gun shot wound that killed him. When you hear those type of stories you always want to be optimistic that he would return home to his family and friends. This story is way bigger than football and it comes to show you that depression and suicide is something we shouldn’t ignore. This story hit home for me, because my family recently went through a similar episode with my older cousin. As a family member you wonder what you could have done to help, but all you can do is pray for that person and those that are in your family. To the Karageorge family my prayers are with you.
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Sports may be just a game, but it can be therapeutic. Buckeye nation and the Karageorge family need a pick-me-up, and with that said the rest of the season should be dedicated to J.T. Barrett and the Karageorge family.
Go Bucks, fight for J.T. and Kosta. O-H….
P.S. To anyone reading this or if you know anyone that is facing a depressing time seek help or call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255
For such a great weekend it’s super sad, that his missed senior day prayers to his family. The buckeyes have lost two heisman candidates within 5 months.. has to be a record. Cardale might can pull a Willie Beamen