When the question came — sharp, repetitive, and almost intrusive — the atmosphere inside the Ohio State media room changed.

“Julian, what happened to Josh Simmons?” a reporter asked again, pushing for an answer.

For a moment, the young quarterback didn’t speak. His usual calm, confident demeanor flickered. He took a deep breath, glanced down, then leaned toward the microphone. And what came next wasn’t a defensive answer — it was a moment of genuine emotion that silenced the room.

“Before I ever wore this jersey,” Julian Sayin began quietly, “Josh Simmons was one of the guys I looked up to the most. Watching him play here — watching how he carried himself — that made me want to be a Buckeye. He wasn’t just a lineman. He was a leader, a big brother, and one of the reasons I’m here today.”

It wasn’t the answer anyone expected, but it was the one everyone needed to hear.

💔 A Veteran’s Battle — and a Young Star’s Respect

Earlier this week, former Ohio State standout and current Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons shared an emotional update about his family’s private struggle. In a heartfelt social media post, Simmons revealed that a close family member has been battling a severe illness — one that has forced him to take an indefinite leave from football to be by their side.

“Family comes first,” Simmons wrote. “Football gave me purpose, but my family gave me life. I’ll be back stronger — for them, and for Chiefs Kingdom.”

The post quickly went viral, flooding social media with messages of love and encouragement from teammates, fans, and even rivals.

But for Julian Sayin, the young quarterback who now wears the scarlet and gray, it hit much deeper. Because for him, Josh Simmons wasn’t just another NFL player — he was the blueprint of what it meant to be a Buckeye.

🏟️ “He Was One of the First Guys I Ever Studied”

Long before Sayin arrived in Columbus, he was just a high school prodigy from California with dreams of competing at the highest level. Late nights were spent watching YouTube clips of Ohio State’s offensive line — and among those names, one stood out: Josh Simmons.

“He was the first player who made me believe in the culture here,” Sayin recalled. “He didn’t talk a lot, but the way he protected his teammates — that said everything.”

Simmons, known during his college years for his relentless work ethic and quiet leadership, embodied the spirit of Ohio State football: toughness, unity, and discipline. Even after graduating and being drafted to the NFL, he remained a beloved figure in the Buckeye community.

So when the news broke about his family’s battle, Sayin’s reaction was more than professional empathy — it was personal admiration wrapped in concern.

🫶 “He Showed Me What Brotherhood Looks Like”

Sayin’s voice softened as he continued his answer during the press conference, speaking not to the cameras, but as if directly to Simmons himself.

“I didn’t know him personally back then,” he said. “But I watched how guys talked about him — how he led, how he treated everyone. That’s the kind of person I want to be. That’s the kind of teammate I want to be remembered as.”

He paused for a moment, his eyes glistening slightly under the bright media lights.

“So yeah,” he added, “he’s part of the reason I came here. Because people like Josh made this program what it is.”

The room went silent. Even the reporters — often eager to chase a headline — lowered their pens for a few seconds. What they had witnessed wasn’t a typical sports quote; it was a moment of genuine respect from one generation of Buckeyes to another.

❤️ A Message That Reached Kansas City

Within hours, clips of Sayin’s response began circulating across social media, with fans calling it “one of the most heartfelt moments of the season.” Chiefs players, many of whom had shared locker rooms with Simmons, reposted the clip on their stories with messages of support.

According to a team insider, Simmons himself saw the video while at home and was deeply moved.

“He smiled,” the source said. “He told his family, ‘That’s what it’s all about — passing it on.’”

The Kansas City Chiefs also issued a statement acknowledging Simmons’ temporary absence, calling him “an irreplaceable part of the Chiefs Kingdom family” and assuring fans that his “health, happiness, and family will always come first.”

🏈 Brotherhood Beyond the Game

In the hyper-competitive world of college and professional football, it’s easy to forget that behind the helmets and highlights are real human beings — connected not just by the sport, but by a shared sense of brotherhood.

For Sayin, still in the early chapters of his own story, Simmons represents that deeper truth: that greatness isn’t just measured in wins and stats, but in the way players inspire each other to be better — on and off the field.

“When I line up at practice, I think about all the guys who wore this jersey before me,” Sayin said. “Josh is one of them. He paved the road we’re walking on now.”

It’s a rare sentiment from a freshman quarterback in one of the most demanding programs in college football. But it’s one that reminds everyone why Ohio State continues to produce not just athletes, but leaders.

🌤️ Hope, Resilience, and Legacy

As Josh Simmons continues to navigate his family’s health battle, his words — “I’ll be back stronger” — have become a rallying cry not only for Chiefs fans but also for Buckeyes everywhere.

And in Columbus, one of the team’s youngest voices has made sure that the legacy Simmons built is alive and thriving.

“We all go through battles,” Sayin said. “Some are on the field, some are in life. But the way Josh handles his shows what true strength looks like. That’s the kind of person I want to be.”

It’s the kind of quote that transcends football — one that speaks to resilience, empathy, and the quiet power of human connection.

🕊️ A Final Word

As the press conference wrapped up, Sayin stood to leave. But before walking off the stage, he turned back to the microphones.

“If he sees this,” Sayin said with a small smile, “just tell him the Buckeyes are praying for him. And when he’s ready — we’ll be watching, cheering, and believing. Just like he taught us to.”

And with that, the young quarterback walked out — not just as the face of Ohio State’s future, but as proof that compassion still has a place in the toughest of games.

Because in the end, the story of Josh Simmons and Julian Sayin isn’t just about football.

It’s about legacy, gratitude, and the unbreakable thread that ties one generation of Buckeyes to the next.