TOLEDO, Ohio — The city of Toledo serves as a bridge between Columbus and Ann Arbor when Ohio State and Michigan play. It turns out St. John's Jesuit High School also shares that bond with a pair of former graduates who each have their own piece to the game.
"Playing in the rivalry, you realize how lucky and special you are," Titan alum and former Michigan football player Jeremy Miller said.
A long snapper for the Wolverines from 1997-2001, Miller joined fellow St. John's alum Jack Mewhort at Toledo's Rally of the Rivals kickoff event last month. Although they shared the same high school, Mewhort played offensive line for Ohio State.
"Certainly being from the region puts a bigger lense on it, when you're from here you understand how important it is," Mewhort said. "This is a rivalry that not only transcends college football and the Big Ten but this is the biggest rivalry in all of sports."
Despite competing at different time periods of the iconic rivalry, each have their own standout memory when it comes to 'The Game.'
"In 2012, we were ineligible for a bowl game so this game at Michigan was our Super Bowl," Mewhort said. "It was Urban Meyer's first year and if we beat Michigan we were undefeated on the season."
OSU went on to win 26-21 thanks in part to the strength of Mewhort and his teammates.
For Miller, his highlight came in 2000, although it might be a stretch to call it that.
"It changed my social life at Michigan because nobody knew I was a football player until I got knocked out and the put me on TV," Miller said. "Then, all of the sudden all the co-eds start talking to me at Michigan and asking me if I'm OK. My response was 'we've had class together for three years and you've never talked to me once, now you're talking to me.'"
That hit he suffered ended up sparking a 38-26 victory for the University of Michigan.
Even though they are rivals on the surface, the two now bond over sharing these unique experiences.
"One of the cool things about Jack is he actually grew up a Michigan fan and it wasn't until we lost to Appalachian State that he altered his decision to go to Ohio State," Miller said.
With their playing days over, they have turned to fandom. something that appears to be even more stressful than competing on a stage in front of 100,000 people.
"Might be more nerve-wracking, as a fan there's nothing you can do to control the game other than cheer loud," Mewhort said.
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