When the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field on Saturdays, all eyes are on Jeremiah Smith — the electrifying wide receiver whose talent has already drawn comparisons to some of the NFL’s greatest. But behind the touchdown celebrations and roaring crowds lies a story few fans know — one that speaks not just to athletic greatness, but to humanity, compassion, and a quiet revolution in how one young athlete connects with his community.

A new tradition born from empathy

Every month, in the glimmering expanse of Ohio Stadium, a handful of unfamiliar faces sit in the VIP section — older fans, often attending alone, many of them without families or long-time companions. They watch the Buckeyes play from the best seats in the house, greeted personally by Jeremiah Smith before the game begins.

It’s not a marketing stunt. It’s not organized by a foundation. It’s something Jeremiah does himself.

The story began early in the season when Smith met an elderly fan named Harold during a charity event in Columbus. Harold, 82, told Smith he had been a Buckeyes fan since the 1950s but hadn’t been to a game in over a decade because his wife had passed away and his health had declined. Something about that conversation struck Smith deeply.

“He just smiled and said, ‘Son, I still listen on the radio. It feels like I’m there,’” Smith later told a local reporter. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted to make sure people like him never feel forgotten.”

A gesture that became something bigger

The following week, Smith arranged for Harold to attend a home game as his personal guest, sitting beside the player’s own family in the VIP box. The moment Harold stepped into the stadium, wearing his faded Buckeyes cap, the look on his face said it all.

Since then, Smith has quietly extended the invitation to others like Harold — fans he’s met through community centers, retirement homes, or local veterans’ groups. Each game, a new guest takes the seat, and each time, Smith makes sure to greet them personally.

“It’s his way of saying thank you,” said an Ohio State staff member. “These people are the ones who built the legacy of this team long before he ever put on a jersey.”

A personal story behind the kindness

What few realize is that Jeremiah’s empathy was born from a personal loss of his own. Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Smith was raised by his grandmother after his mother passed away when he was just 10 years old. His grandmother, a devoted churchgoer and Buckeyes fan, taught him the values of gratitude and humility.

“She always said, ‘When you make it big, don’t forget to make it matter,’” Smith shared in an interview earlier this year. “I think about her every time I walk onto the field.”

When she passed away last year, just before his breakout freshman season, Smith decided to honor her memory by giving back in small, consistent ways — and the “VIP guest tradition,” as his teammates now call it, was born.

Teammates and fans rally behind the idea

What started as one player’s gesture has begun to ripple through the Buckeyes’ locker room. Other players have joined in, donating game-worn gloves or jerseys to fans who attend as Jeremiah’s guests. Quarterback Will Howard recently hosted a group of military veterans for the same reason.

“I think Jeremiah reminded all of us that football isn’t just about wins,” Howard said. “It’s about who’s watching from the stands, who’s been there long before we got here.”

Fans have also taken notice. A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) showed a photo of Smith kneeling next to an elderly fan in a wheelchair, chatting before kickoff. The caption read: “Not all heroes wear helmets.” Within hours, it had been shared over 50,000 times.

Changing the culture of college football

Smith’s quiet movement has sparked conversation across college football about the importance of community engagement that comes from the players themselves — not just through PR departments or organized foundations.

Sports columnist Mark Reilly of The Athletic wrote, “What Jeremiah Smith is doing is redefining what leadership looks like for a generation of athletes. It’s not just about NIL deals or fame. It’s about connection.”

At a time when college sports are increasingly commercialized, Smith’s actions remind everyone — from fans to coaches — that the game’s true power lies in unity and emotion.

Beyond the headlines: a legacy in motion

While Jeremiah Smith continues to dominate on the field — leading the Buckeyes in receptions and touchdowns this season — his off-field legacy may prove even more enduring.

The Ohio State athletic department is reportedly exploring ways to expand the “VIP fan experience” into a formal community program, though Smith has requested it remain as personal and grassroots as possible. “If it gets too big,” he said with a smile, “it won’t feel the same.”

A reflection of gratitude

For Smith, it all comes down to gratitude — for the fans, for his upbringing, and for the chance to wear the scarlet and gray.

“When I look into the stands and see someone smiling because they feel like they belong again,” Smith said, “that’s as good as any touchdown I’ll ever score.”

And that may be the most remarkable thing about Jeremiah Smith. In an era when many young athletes chase stats, fame, and sponsorships, he’s quietly chasing something far more meaningful — connection.

The next time the Buckeyes take the field, look beyond the scoreboard. Somewhere in the stands, in a VIP seat with a perfect view of the game, there will be someone who thought they’d never see another live Ohio State game again — smiling because Jeremiah Smith decided they should.

That’s not just a story of sportsmanship. That’s a story of heart.