U.S. Sen. Jon Husted joined host Jim Tressel on the “It’s All About the Team” podcast to discuss his path to the University of Dayton and the challenges he faced at the start of his football career.
Husted recalls arriving at Dayton as the last running back on the depth chart. On picture day, an equipment manager handed him No. 63 and told him his jersey number didn’t matter because he would never play. Husted says the comment gave him added motivation to prove himself.
After his first season, Husted moved from running back to defensive back at the suggestion of his coach. Despite never playing the position, he earned time on special teams, worked his way into a starting role and eventually became an All-American defensive back.
Husted tells Tressel that hard work, coaching and a willingness to change positions created an unexpected path at Dayton, where his primary goal remained simple: get on the field and play football.