Ohio State Football Fans: It's Time to Shock the World (A Call to Action)

Dear Buckeye football fans,

Today I was looking at a friend's Facebook page, when I saw a T-shirt I knew that I had to have. 

There it was, faded red with minimal coloring. Understated but effective. Three little words.

Shock. The. World.

Buckeye fans, I am calling you out.

On Dec. 22, our world was turned upside down. I remember reading ESPN when I found out that allegations were being made against five student-athletes for exchanging football memorabilia for discounted tattoo services.

The next day, we learned that the athletes would sit out the first five games of the season.

I might as well have received a lump of coal in my stocking. 

The next months were nothing but turmoil. In March, Yahoo! Sports broke the story that head coach Jim Tressel knew about the improper benefits. 

The dominoes continued to fall. We lost a leader in a sweater vest, a quarterback with a Kid 'n' Play haircut, and several future superstar recruits. 

We've been the butt of countless jokes on every news, radio, and online outlet. 

The best news we've heard lately? That the NCAA won't file additional violations against the school.

Yes, these last seven months have been tough.

However, that's all going to change. But it's up to us.

Our fan base is unprecedented, unrivaled and unmatched. The Buckeye community believes in pride and tradition.

Though we have seven months of black eyes, we have 121 years of excellence. 

Seven national championships. Nine undefeated seasons. Thirty-six conference championships. 

Do I need to go on?

You need to rise above others and push forward into the next football season. Defend your Buckeyes and tell the nay-sayers to move on.

It's time you stand up to the ones who want to tear us down. It's time to dust off those jerseys and change your ringtone back to "Across the Field." It's time to remind everyone why we are The Ohio State Buckeyes. 

It's time to shock the world.