I’m humbled and honored that they chose me as their leader.” A proud Polynesian, born in Vermont but found in Hawaiiħ00 miles and several years from suiting up in the “Horseshoe”, the bleachers of a Vermont high school were Garrett’s football home. “It meant a lot, meant that I had the respect of my peers, that they looked up to me as a leader and somebody that they can come to in any situation, someone who can lead them and they trust. It came in the form of a big-man touchdown that he describes as “exhilarating and special.” But, most importantly for Garrett, it came in the form of being a team captain and having the opportunity to help shape the next generation of Ohio State playmakers. The contribution on the field in 2021 came in the form of 22 tackles (7.5 of which were for loss) and 5.5 sacks. Also, I wanted to come back and be a leader for this team, to contribute anywhere I could to the university.” I didn’t want it to be just because of what happened in 2020 is the reason that I played so well. A lot of people were like, ‘Oh, you’re nuts, you had a great season!’ What I put on tape, that’s who I am. “I truly believe I didn’t want to leave the brotherhood yet. “A lot went into that decision,” he said. Setting career-highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss, the Ohio State defensive tackle earned significant attention for the NFL Draft. Despite all of the disruption, both personally and globally, he lived up to it with third-team All- Big Ten honors. I’m just truly thankful for the surgeons and the doctors that took care of me and to get me back to playing football.” Rebounding to become a leader on the fieldĪfter gradually building his production through the 2019 season, there was a sense of expectation for Garrett ahead of 2020. I didn’t practice until the Tuesday before our first game due to all the surgeries. Reflecting back on my comeback to be able to play football, it made me realize that I was actually really down. “I’m really grateful for the ME’s, the first responders, especially during troubling times,” Garrett said. Instead, it’s a testament to the character of the man that he has nothing but gratitude for those that helped ensure this next stage of his football journey is possible. But less than 18 months later, as he prepares for the NFL Draft, Garrett’s overriding emotion isn’t about what could have been for him.

The event could have had very different consequences. “Unfortunately, it resulted in me being shot in my face.” “I was just breaking up a domestic violence and intervened,” Garrett tells me in a matter-of-fact way that understates the act of heroism that could have had a profound impact on his life, not to mention his football career. Yet, for Ohio State defensive tackle Garrett, one night in August provided a different type of uncertainty - a different type of adversity. No one knew whether the season would be played, how it might be played, or if it could be played. For college football players, it was no different.

An ongoing global pandemic caused disruption to lives around the world. Haskell Garrett is an exceptional example of overcoming adversityĪugust 2020 was a time of uncertainty.

Haskell garrett face