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Cardale Jones
The inspiring story of an unlikely Buckeye legend, in his own words
In the days before college football’s first four-team playoff field was announced in 2014, there were doubts that Ohio State would even make the cut. The Buckeyes entered the Big Ten Championship ranked No. 5, and they were starting their seldom-used backup at quarterback. But by mid-January, the Buckeyes were hoisting the National Championship Trophy, led by that unlikely hero behind Cardale Jones.
Growing up in inner-city Cleveland as part of a large, athletic family, Jones saw sports as a pathway out. The ecstatic joy Ohio State’s 2002 national championship brought to his community made his goal he would play for his home-state Buckeyes.
In this revealing memoir, Jones takes reflects on his the path to Columbus, to the pinnacle of college football, and beyond. He shares the selflessness of his guardian, Michelle Nash, as life at home got rough during his high school years. He recalls meeting assistant coach Tom Herman for the first time while at Fork Union, cramming two years of recruiting into an hour-long meeting.
Readers will go behind the scenes into the Ohio State locker room as head coach Urban Meyer’s tough love served as a wakeup call, and into the huddles, meeting rooms, and celebrations as Ohio State made their improbable run to a title. And Jones, who has returned to Columbus to help run an NIL fund for OSU student-athletes, shares his thoughts on college football’s future and his new mission.
Jones’ story is an essential read for Ohio State fans and anyone who cheers for unexpected heroes.
In the days before college football’s first four-team playoff field was announced in 2014, there were doubts that Ohio State would even make the cut. The Buckeyes entered the Big Ten Championship ranked No. 5, and they were starting their seldom-used backup at quarterback. But by mid-January, the Buckeyes were hoisting the National Championship Trophy, led by that unlikely hero behind Cardale Jones.
Growing up in inner-city Cleveland as part of a large, athletic family, Jones saw sports as a pathway out. The ecstatic joy Ohio State’s 2002 national championship brought to his community made his goal he would play for his home-state Buckeyes.
In this revealing memoir, Jones takes reflects on his the path to Columbus, to the pinnacle of college football, and beyond. He shares the selflessness of his guardian, Michelle Nash, as life at home got rough during his high school years. He recalls meeting assistant coach Tom Herman for the first time while at Fork Union, cramming two years of recruiting into an hour-long meeting.
Readers will go behind the scenes into the Ohio State locker room as head coach Urban Meyer’s tough love served as a wakeup call, and into the huddles, meeting rooms, and celebrations as Ohio State made their improbable run to a title. And Jones, who has returned to Columbus to help run an NIL fund for OSU student-athletes, shares his thoughts on college football’s future and his new mission.
Jones’ story is an essential read for Ohio State fans and anyone who cheers for unexpected heroes.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2023
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1117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2023
I really enjoyed reading about cardale’s journey he is an inspiration and such a joy to see him succeed from where he came from being an Ohio state fan I remember feeling awful for him in 2015 and wanted him to succeed so much in the NFL and the book brought back all those emotions but I definitely feel like he has such a success story and is going to continue to do amazing things and I can’t wait to see where his life continues to take him
December 4, 2023
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an inspirational story, and a good example of making it no matter where you are from. It is also a good story of never giving up and eventually meeting your goals.
This was an inspirational story, and a good example of making it no matter where you are from. It is also a good story of never giving up and eventually meeting your goals.
December 17, 2023
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and am so glad I did. What a great inspirational story - Read it!!!!
April 28, 2024
Nothing like a trip down memory lane of the 2014 natty - go Bucks
January 2, 2025
CAR DALE JONES. I have his jersey!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews