« FBS Football 2012

John Simon

School
Ohio State
Position
Defensive End
Major
Sport & Leisure Studies

Classroom

Simon is a true senior who is on track to graduate with a degree in sport and leisure studies.

Character

Coach Urban Meyer on Simon’s Character: “His performance on the field speaks for itself, but the off-the-field commitment and performance is what distinguishes John from every other player I have ever coached. His training and study habits are off the charts!  He is the ultimate team player and leader.”

Community

Simon is very active in community service for Ohio State. Some of the visits and events he has worked with in the last year include: Columbus Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Operation Buckeye, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Athletes in Action, 2nd and Seven Foundation, Holiday for Heroes, Oak Creek Elementary School, Colerain Elementary School and Buckeye Grove Clean Up.

Competition

A third-team All-American and first-team all-Big Ten performer, Simon is the best leader by example on the Ohio State football team. To be a leader you have to bring people with you. You have to influence people, and he influences more people on this team than anybody. Simon leads by his actions and his deeds. He is the first one in line and he’s the one telling the team “this is how we are doing it.” He does speak up, too. He isn’t shy about speaking his mind, and when he does, everybody listens. Another of Simon’s great assets is his physical and mental toughness, which allows him to play at an intensity that is, really, unmatched. There are really good football players and there are good players who play with good effort. Simon is a really good player who plays with great effort.