'Carry the Banner!' Ex Buckeyes Coach Jim Tressel Speaks at Ohio State Spring Practice

The Ohio State Buckeyes welcomed back one of their own to spring practice on Saturday.

NCAA Football - Ohio State vs Michigan - November 19, 2005 / G. N. Lowrance/GettyImages

Former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel is synonymous with the word, "legend" in Columbus. A 2002 national championship and a 9-1 record over Michigan in 10 seasons at the helm is most impressive and cemented his status as one of the best to ever do it.

Tressel attended Buckeyes spring practice on Saturday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and shared some messages about what it means to be a Buckeye.

NCAA Football - Ohio State vs Michigan - November 19, 2005 / G. N. Lowrance/GettyImages

“Carry the banner,” Tressel said. “Be proud. Because when you get old and come back and look, you’re gonna say, ‘I can’t believe God gave me a chance to be a Buckeye.’ Because there’s nothing like it.”

Tressel was in town from his winter home in Florida to receive an award from the Ohio High School Sports Association for his athletic contributions in the state of Ohio.

He was joined by other Ohio legends Pro Football Hall of Fame member Dick LeBeau, former basketball player and coach Caroline Mast Daugherty and MLB umpire Jerry Layne.

“This is quite an honor, (especially) when you think about the state of Ohio and how important high school athletics are,” Tressel told Frank DiRenna of The Columbus Dispatch. “When you look at these towns, the whole towns are here at the state championships. One of the highlights of the year is being here this weekend and it’s an honor to join this group.”

In 10 seasons with the Buckeyes, Tressel finished 94-22 with five-straight Big Ten titles from 2005-2009, winning the national title in 2002 shortly after the first of his six Big Ten titles.