It's time for another Happy Hour.
Ohio State greats Andy Katzenmoyer, J.K. Dobbins, Maurice Clarett, Michael Jenkins and Jim Lachey headlined the first five 12th Warrior Happy Hours. We'll continue next week in the same fashion, welcoming former Buckeye tight end and Super Bowl champion Jake Ballard to appear on the live Q&A, Thursday, July 16, at 6 p.m.
In an exclusive Google Meet with Ballard, 12th Warriors will hear untold stories, ask questions and connect with a former Buckeye like never before. It's relaxed. It's interactive. It's our way of saying thank you for backing independent Ohio State sports coverage, for representing Eleven Warriors and for being the heart of what we do at 11W.
Grab your drink of choice, log on and let's make some memories. We'll share further details in the Premium Lounge next week.
A Message to Future 12th Warriors
You aren't a 12th Warrior — yet.
For $85 a year (just 23 cents a day), you can join a selfless perks program designed to flip the paywall system, keeping our coverage free for all by paying it forward. Membership includes perks like admission to 12th Warrior Happy Hour, a voucher for $40 off a purchase from Eleven Warriors Dry Goods, access to the Premium Lounge and more.
Want to chat with Ballard, help the site and score other perks? Sign up to become a 12th Warrior!
Jake Ballard, Springboro's Finest
Ballard was a dependable, hard-nosed tight end whose reliability as both a blocker and pass catcher made him a valuable piece of Ohio State's offense during the late 2000s.
A four-year contributor from 2006 to 2009, Ballard emerged as a starter during his final two seasons and earned a reputation as one of the Buckeyes' most dependable players. A physical blocker with reliable hands, he provided quarterback Terrelle Pryor with a trusted target while excelling in the dirty work that fueled Ohio State's offense.
As a senior in 2009, Ballard helped Ohio State capture a fifth consecutive Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl victory. Though he never posted gaudy statistics in the Buckeyes' run-oriented offense, Ballard embodied the physical, team-first mentality that defined Ohio State under Jim Tressel.
After going undrafted in 2010, the Springboro, Ohio, native signed with the New York Giants and carved out an NFL career through perseverance. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2011, catching 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns while helping the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI. Ballard's promising career was cut short by a devastating knee injury suffered during the Super Bowl, but his journey from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion remains one of Ohio State's most inspiring success stories.
Today, Ballard is channeling that same resilience into a new mission through Hey Dad, a mobile app he co-founded after a deeply personal experience reshaped his perspective on fatherhood. Inspired by the months he and his wife, Olivia, spent in the neonatal intensive care unit after the premature birth of their son, Benny, Ballard created the app alongside childhood friend Justin Leffew to help fathers preserve video messages, advice and memories for their children.
The platform allows dads to schedule messages for future milestones, ensuring their words can be shared for years to come. What began as a way to leave a lasting legacy for his own children has grown into a passion project focused on helping fathers build stronger, more intentional relationships with their families.
Header Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
