CJ grad Haney tells story behind viral Twitter video

On Thursday, as Ohio State players participated in Fiesta Bowl Media Day, Haney told his story. He didn’t attend media day but talked on the phone from the team hotel. He arrived in Arizona in the morning and will join the team for practice Thursday afternoon. The Buckeyes play Clemson at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl. Haney will be on the sideline.

Here’s his story of meeting the deaf fans and communicating with them:

After the game, Haney was looking for his family. Meanwhile, his friend Curtis Henry, a walk-on junior defensive tackle, was shouting Haney’s name. Henry had met two deaf fans, Nick Dann and Mark DeVere, who were trying to tell Henry, “Good game.”

Henry knew Haney knows sign language and asked him to translate.

“Hi, I know ASL,” Haney signed to them.

Nick and Mark got excited when they realized they would be able to communicate with an Ohio State player, Haney said. They talked with the players for 15 minutes, and Haney’s uncle, William Jones, started recording the conversation.

The video that Haney posted to Twitter showed the fans asking Haney what his number was. The fans told Haney and Henry, “Good game,” and said they were glad they came to the game and that it was a great one.

Fans loved the video on Twitter.