- Was signed by Ohio State University in 2023
- Has now undergone a traditional American ritual
- Could mean he is set for a debut in front of packed house
His father is AFL royalty and this young athlete showed all the promise of becoming a strike bowler in cricket, but Joe McGuire has taken a big stride toward making his debut in a very different sport.
Joe, the son of former Collingwood president and television personality Eddie McGuire, is a chance of making his college football debut for Ohio State University on Sunday in front of 100,000 people.
The Buckeyes will play Akron University at 5.30am on Sunday, AEST.
Joe won a spot as a punter with Ohio State University in 2023 through the Prokick Australia program, which assists Aussies crack the NFL and college football programs with a high success rate since its inception in 2007.
While Joe has been part of the Buckeyes system since July, he has now taken a major stride toward getting game time after losing his ‘black stripe’ ahead of the college’s huge match on Sunday [EDT].
In college football, particularly at Ohio State University, losing your black stripe is a significant rite of passage.
Freshmen and new players start with a black stripe on their helmets, symbolising their status as newcomers.
When they “lose” the black stripe, it means they have proven themselves worthy of being a full member of the team, both on and off the field.
This tradition signifies their official acceptance into the football program.
‘Black Strip Alert,’ the college posted.
‘The specs [special teams] just added a Stud to their unit, welcome to the brotherhood, Joe McGuire.’
Joe McGuire was recruited by Ohio State in 2023 to a backup punter in the special teams
Joe, centre, holds the black stripe removed from his helmet to signify he is part of the Buckeyes brotherhood
The college has a rich athletic tradition, especially in football, with the Ohio State Buckeyes being a major force in college sports.
The Buckeyes are one of the leading college gridiron teams in America with eight national championships to their name.
‘I want to thank you all for welcoming me to the brotherhood,’ Joe said.
‘Shout out to the specs, coach [Rob] Keys, coach [Gunner] Daniel, thanks to the dream team for getting me better every day.
‘Go Bucks!’
While McGuire still has plenty of work to do, he is the college’s third string punter, the black stripe accolade puts him in touch distance of making his debut.
And he already has a nickname, at least according to one mad Buckeye’s fan.
‘Big Joe the kangaroo coming to kick your balls LFG,’ posted an X profile called Big Bay Buckeye.
Joe is the son of AFL personality Eddie McGuire who travelled to the United States to watch Ohio play in 2023
While Eddie is a dyed-in-the-wool Collingwood and AFL supporter, his son Joe would grow up to travel a different path
Eddie has previously spoken of his pride for his son and travelled to the United State in 2023 to watch a Buckeyes game even though Joe did not take the field.
‘We talk on the phone every day,’ McGuire said.
‘We zoom each other, Facetime, my parents came out to this country and never saw their parents again.
‘Again, the sacrifices is (he’s) overseas but the upside is he’s playing for Ohio State in front of 105,000 people in front of 12 million on American television.
‘He’s only the back up punter but he’s there which means he’s a chance.’
