Ohio State Football Legend to Ring Victory Bell Before Illinois Matchup

Ohio State football is set to maintain its new tradition of inviting former players to ring the victory bell prior to home games, a practice that gained popularity last year. This season, the Buckeyes have announced that one of their all-time greats, James Laurinaitis, will have the honor of ringing the bell before the game against Illinois.

Head coach Ryan Day revealed this exciting news during recent official visits, as shared in a video by five-star defensive lineman Macus Fakatou. Laurinaitis's bell-ringing will mark a special moment, as it will be the first time a current member of the football staff participates in this tradition. Additionally, Laurinaitis is set to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this year, a recognition that speaks to his outstanding contributions on the field.

“The Victory Bell was built in 1954 so that everybody in the area could hear when the Buckeyes won," Day noted while addressing recruits and their families at Ohio Stadium. "Not everybody could get to the stadium; they didn't have as much TV and radio, there was not as much coverage as what you see, no TikTok back in 1954. So people in the area, when they heard the bell ring, they knew the Buckeyes won. It was a big deal.”

Laurinaitis's illustrious career at Ohio State includes being one of only eight players in program history to achieve three-time All-American status. He was honored as the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year on two occasions and won the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006, the Butkus Award in 2007, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2008.

Last season, the tradition featured a variety of former Buckeye legends, including two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and notable head coaches like John Cooper, Urban Meyer, and Jim Tressel. Laurinaitis will join this esteemed group, further solidifying his legacy with the Buckeyes.

With a career tally of 375 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and numerous other impressive statistics, Laurinaitis's ringing of the victory bell is a fitting tribute to his remarkable time at Ohio State.