The Ohio Senate visits the Statehouse to honor the Ohio State football team that won the championship.

The echoes of cheers from the national championship game had barely settled before the Ohio State Buckeyes were once again showered in applause—this time not from tens of thousands in a packed stadium, but from lawmakers in polished shoes and red ties inside the hallowed halls of the Ohio Statehouse. On a crisp spring morning, the Ohio Senate welcomed the 2024-25 national champions with a formal resolution of recognition and heartfelt praise, offering a fitting tribute to one of the most celebrated seasons in Buckeye history.

This gathering was more than ceremonial. It was a bridge between the pride of a state and the sweat-soaked legacy of a team that captured its heart. As Senate President Matt Huffman addressed the chamber, a standing ovation roared through the rotunda. The marbled columns of the Statehouse bore witness to the unifying power of sport.

“This team did more than just win a championship,” Huffman said. “They inspired an entire state, embodied perseverance, and made every Ohioan walk a little taller.”

Ohio State’s championship run in the 2024-25 season was a masterpiece of dominance, discipline, and drive. The Buckeyes entered the season with high expectations under head coach Ryan Day, but even their most ardent supporters couldn’t have predicted the seamless excellence that unfolded week after week.

Led by quarterback Devin Brown, whose poise and precision drew comparisons to Buckeye legends like Troy Smith and C.J. Stroud, the offense was nearly unstoppable. A potent mix of explosive receivers, anchored by All-American Emeka Egbuka, and a revitalized ground game under TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes averaged over 40 points per game.

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles crafted a unit that was aggressive and impenetrable. With stars like JT Tuimoloau and Sonny Styles wreaking havoc, Ohio State finished the season as the nation’s top-ranked defense in both points and yards allowed.

The national title game—an electric 34-27 win over the Texas Longhorns—showcased the Buckeyes’ resilience. After falling behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter, Ohio State rallied behind Brown’s leadership and a pair of fourth-quarter turnovers. It was a Hollywood-worthy ending to a perfect season: 15-0, national champions, and a return to the mountaintop for the first time since 2014.

The recognition ceremony at the Statehouse was orchestrated by Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), a long-time Ohio State supporter who introduced the formal resolution honoring the team. Standing at the Senate podium with Buckeye players, coaches, and athletic director Gene Smith flanking him, Brenner beamed with pride.

“This is about more than football. It’s about excellence, education, and the example these young men have set for every child in Ohio,” Brenner declared. “They represented not only their university but every corner of this great state—from Steubenville to Cincinnati, Toledo to Athens.”

Each senator received a commemorative program featuring game highlights, season stats, and portraits of key contributors. Many wore scarlet-and-gray lapel pins or ties, signaling bipartisan reverence for the Buckeyes’ achievement.

Senator Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) echoed the bipartisan spirit in her remarks. “While we often disagree in this chamber, today we are united. United in pride, in gratitude, and in celebration of this team that brought us joy and reminded us of our shared identity as Ohioans.”

For head coach Ryan Day, the moment was particularly poignant. Since taking over from Urban Meyer in 2019, Day had faced the daunting task of sustaining a winning culture in one of college football’s most pressure-packed programs. Though he had led the Buckeyes to several College Football Playoff appearances, national glory had eluded him—until now.

“I am incredibly honored to be here today with our players and staff,” Day said from the Senate floor. “This championship was the product of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief. To be recognized by the state in this way means the world to us.”

Day made a point to highlight the contributions of departing athletic director Gene Smith, whose decades of service at Ohio State were capped by this national championship.

“Gene is the reason we’re standing here today,” Day said. “His leadership, his support, and his vision for what Ohio State football could be—he made this possible.”

Smith, visibly emotional, was greeted with a sustained standing ovation as he stepped to the podium.

“This isn’t just a celebration of a trophy,” Smith said. “It’s a celebration of character, of education, of mentorship. These young men carried our values onto the field and gave this state something to be proud of.”

Several players also had a chance to address the Senate and share their gratitude. Quarterback Devin Brown, named Offensive MVP of the national championship game, spoke with the composure of a seasoned leader.

“I came to Ohio State to chase greatness,” Brown said. “What we achieved this season—what we did together—it’s something that will live with us forever. Thank you for believing in us.”

Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, a graduate student and team captain, emphasized the bond that was forged throughout the season.

“All the lifting, the film sessions, the hard practices—it all came down to how much we loved playing for each other,” Eichenberg said. “To have our state honor us like this is the ultimate thank you.”

The players then presented the Senate with a framed team jersey bearing the number “25” to commemorate the 2025 title run. The jersey will be displayed in the Statehouse lobby alongside other historic state sports memorabilia.

A Unifying Celebration Amid National Change

The Senate recognition came at a time when the college football landscape is rapidly evolving. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation, expanded playoffs, and realignment reshaping the sport, Ohio State’s championship feels like both a crowning achievement and a harbinger of new frontiers.

Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) reflected on the symbolic value of Ohio State’s win.

“In an era of uncertainty, this championship reminds us that traditions still matter,” Antani said. “That grit, loyalty, and excellence still rise to the top.”

He also called for continued legislative support for student-athletes, suggesting that NIL reform could be addressed in upcoming sessions to ensure fair treatment while preserving competitive balance.

Hundreds of Buckeye fans, some waving flags and others clad in scarlet hoodies, gathered outside the Statehouse as word of the ceremony spread. A local high school marching band played “Fight the Team Across the Field” as the team exited the building.

For many, it was an emotional reunion with the team that had delivered so much joy over the past several months.

“I cried during the Michigan game and again during the title game,” said Teresa Owens, a season ticket holder from Mansfield. “This team brought us back. To see them honored like this? Goosebumps.”

Children lined up to get autographs from players like Egbuka and Henderson, while reporters asked Day and Smith about the team’s offseason plans. Though the event was symbolic, its impact was tangible.

While the Buckeyes will face roster turnover with several stars headed for the NFL Draft, the mood at the Statehouse was not one of endings, but of legacy and continuity.

With recruiting pipelines strong and coaching stability reaffirmed, Ohio State enters the next chapter of its storied history as the reigning national champion. As fans look forward to the fall, the foundation laid this season promises future success.

“We celebrated the past today,” said Senator Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus). “But we also lit a torch for the future.”

The Statehouse ceremony lasted just over an hour, but its significance will echo far longer. It was a moment of unity in a divided political climate, a reminder that triumph in sport can lift more than just a trophy—it can elevate a state’s spirit.

As the Buckeyes boarded buses to return to campus, their championship journey gained yet another chapter—one marked not by yard lines or final scores, but by gratitude, recognition, and the enduring pride of Ohio.

They came, they conquered, and now—officially—they are champions in the eyes of the people, and in the records of the state.