ASHTABULA, Ohio — This is the place where Coach Meyer comes back to be Urban, a hometown he’d like to visit more often even as it informs every move he makes while leading Ohio State’s football program. Making the great state of Ohio proud, one of Urban Meyer’s signature lines in Columbus? That pride started in Ashtabula. Wednesday morning was his annual youth football camp with longtime friend and fellow Ashtabula native Dean Hood, now a football assistant at Charlotte. It was another chance for Meyer to interact with a few hundred kids growing up like he did, to suggest the red sauce at his favorite restaurant, to see old friends. It’s what you do when you go home. But Meyer doesn’t have to be in Ashtabula to, in his own way, be just a regular Ohioan. The Cavs made him that during their NBA Championship, just like the football Buckeyes make LeBron James just another Ohio guy for a few hours every fall Saturday. When you’re a fan, you’re a fan. Nothing is more normal than that. I’d argue that during James’ time in Miami, one of his greatest links to Ohio remained his loyal Buckeye fandom. Even now, after bringing a title to Cleveland, the most average a superstar millionaire basketball mogul can get very well may be when he talks about the state’s college football team. And James is always happy to do that. LeBron James talks rooting for the Buckeyes For a three-time national championship football coach with millions in the bank, it doesn’t get much more regular…
Continue Reading: How Urban Meyer and LeBron James help make each other just like you
