If you’ve followed the story of Ohio State linebacker Justin Hilliard at all, you know what he’s been through. Time after time he’s battled through injury and tough luck to simply keep his dream of playing in Columbus alive.
Often he’s gotten back on the field, but it’s been through special teams and backup roles. Ofen he’s had to deal with injury again. He would of course take it over nothing, but now Hilliard appears to be fully healthy and ready to contribute full-time in the linebacker rotation.
Oh, and there’s this too; Hilliard was named one of seven captains Tuesday for the 2020 season. But that’s not the best part. The former five-star recruit now going on his sixth year in the program got to make a call to his dad to break the news, and it’s one that might have you reaching for a box of Kleenex.
Watch below as Hilliard — flanked by assistant coaches Greg Mattison and Al Washington — dials his dad to break the news that he’s a team captain. Dad’s reaction is both priceless and heartwarming.
Here’s to hoping that Hilliard finally gets some luck in the health department and becomes a beast for Ohio State this year. If anyone deserves it, he does.
