Ohio State players gave back to the Columbus community on Thursday, and in fact might have helped save lives in Columbus.
Nearly 20 Buckeye football players made appearances at Versiti's blood drive in Ohio Stadium, giving their time to support and help promote life-saving blood donations. Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery and Zion Grady helped get the message out to Buckeye Nation in a video and volunteered alongside Gabe VanSickle, Austin Siereveld, Ja'Kobi Jackson, Devin McCuin, Carter Lowe, Kyle Parker, Jason Moore and Tavien St. Clair, among many others.
"It's awesome because all these people here, when they donate blood, they're saving three lives," VanSickle told Eleven Warriors. "It's awesome to see like people come together and like for a good cause."
Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, and Zion Grady are calling on Buckeye Nation to step up and donate at the Ohio Stadium Blood Drive on April 2nd.
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) April 1, 2026
This is your chance to:
Save lives in our community
Step inside Ohio Stadium
Get a free ticket to the Spring Game
Be pic.twitter.com/UzgvBhm6VF
That figure, three lives, that VanSickle mentioned, is true. One blood donation can save up to three people in their time of need. Specifically, in the case of the Shoe's blood drive on Thursday, the people of Columbus.
"The biggest part about giving blood is the impact that it makes in the community," Versiti director of donor services Joe Gantz said. "So, with Versiti, since we're the sole blood provider for the OSU Wexner and James Medical Center, all the blood we collect stays local right here. That one donation can save up to three lives and can make a massive impact. And because all the blood we collect stays local and stays in the community, that blood can go in and can help save the life of a neighbor, a friend or even a family member."
Gantz himself is a former Ohio State football player, a walk-on running back for Jim Tressel's Buckeye teams from 2005 through 2010. After his playing career, he became a nurse and helped save lives directly by working in the emergency room for seven years.
Gantz found he could do even broader good in his administrative role with Versiti, however. Having blood available for a patient can be the difference between whether they live or die in an emergency room. His Ohio State pride was overflowing with the number of current players who came out to support the cause on Thursday.
"Getting to come back here, get to hear some of the guys and some of the things that are the same, some of the things that have changed is neat," Gantz said. "And it's just fun to still be a part of that. Like, you graduate, but you're always still a part of that brotherhood, and you're kind of tied for life. So I'll be a Buckeye until I die."
Versiti's blood drive at the Shoe has concluded, but those who wish to donate blood still have ample opportunities with the non-profit. They host mobile blood drives across central Ohio and have a donation center in Hilliard. Gantz said the best way to find a time and location to donate is to visit Versiti's website for Ohio, where you can find all their drives and schedule a time to donate.
Eleven Warriors was in attendance for the blood drive and conducted exclusive interviews on site with Parker, McCuin, St. Clair, Grady, VanSickle, Jackson and Lowe. Check out their thoughts on giving back – and how their springs are going so far on the football field – below.
