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There are few rivalries, if any, in all of sports that share the same hatred and intensity as “The Game” between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines. As the respective head coaches of each program, you have one job above all else: win “The Game.”
Unfortunately for Ohio State coach Ryan Day, he’s found that a bit difficult of late. Day is just 1-4 against the Wolverines all-time and has lost the last four games, including the most recent game where the Buckeyes were a 21-point favorite.
Surely things can’t get any worse for Ohio State fans, right? Wrong. Enter star running back TreVeyon Henderson, who had Buckeyes fans considering seppuku after his most recent comments on Saturday’s loss to the Wolverines.
The True Enemy🙏
Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” pic.twitter.com/73ggJbleZ6
— thewalk (@accessthewalk) December 3, 2024
“I personally don’t see – in a rivalry game – like I personally don’t see the team up north as an enemy,” Henderson said on a recent episode if The Walk podcast, which focuses on Christian athletes and their faith. “The true enemy is the Devil. That is the enemy. And I truly believe that what the enemy wants is for us to look at (Michigan) as enemies, for us to give in to that hate and hate each other.
Now look, we are not here to discredit anybody’s faith. And honestly, Henderson’s perspective means that he’s likely to live a well-adjusted life outside of football.
But when it comes to football, and specifically when it comes to this rivalry, maaaan that is not going to make fans happy. There are a lot of Ohio State fans out there who would tell you that Michigan is the devil.
Safe to say, they did not respond to Henderson’s comments very kindly.
“I’m so serious this is the problem with OSU man lmao. Too many people tryna be pastors,” one fan wrote.
“I appreciate the religion and everything but like THE F—YOU MEAN THEY AINT THE ENEMY!?! Maybe this class just should get off the field,” said another.
As we said, we respect Henderson’s right to his personal religious beliefs. But that attitude was never going to fly with Ohio State fans when you lose to Michigan four years in a row.