Watch here: Ohio State football's championship celebration
Jan 26, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A month of amazing memories for the Ohio State football team and its fans culminates on Sunday afternoon with a celebration.
And you can watch it here on NBC4i.com.
The Buckeyes ran through the first 12-team College Football Playoff, with a December home win over Tennessee, revenge against No. 1 Oregon, Jack Sawyer's 83-yard touchdown return after a sack against Texas, and Jeremiah Smith's 56-yard fourth-quarter catch against Notre Dame. On Monday night, the Buckeyes became national champions for the first time since 2014, when the first four-team playoff was staged.
The celebrating began immediately after the game, both on the field in Atlanta and back in Columbus at Ohio Stadium, where fans gained access and stormed the field.
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Fans were allowed back in Sunday, this time for a rally where spectators joined in the stands and on the field. Among the speakers included Athletic Director Ross Bjork, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, who brought a new "Champions Way" street sign that will be outside the Horseshoe.
After Ohio State President Ted Carter pumped up the crowd, Coach Ryan Day addressed Buckeye nation, followed by several players.
If you don't go in person, NBC4 will offer a two-hour special starting at noon that will include the rally. It will be broadcast on air and streamed live on NBC4i.com. You can watch in the video player above.
Photo gallery
The AFCA National Championship Coaches Trophy (left) College Football Playoff Trophy (center) and Rose Bowl Trophy on display before the Ohio State Buckeyes National Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)Ohio State Buckeyes fans enter the field before the National Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy on display before the Ohio State Buckeyes National Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)Fans wait outside ahead of the Ohio State football championship celebration at Ohio Stadium on January 26, 2025. (NBC4 Photo / Gracie Collins)COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 26: The Coaches' Trophy sits on display before the NCAA Football Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)NBC4 Photo / Gracie CollinsOhio State Buckeyes fans gather on the field before the National Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)
In addition to the rally, the special will also include an analysis of the season and a lookahead to 2025. Hosting it will be NBC4 anchors Kerry Charles and Colleen Marshall, joined by sports director Joe Nugent, anchor Jerod Smalley and others.
The rally is open to the public, with Storm Team 4 saying temperatures should run in the upper 20s and low 30s under a cloudy sky. Ohio State opened several lots starting at 8 a.m. for free parking, including around the stadium, Value City Arena and St. John Arena.