Joel Penton, The Ohio State University

Five years ago this November 18th, in the real Game of the Century, Joel Penton hunched down into his 3-point stance, his fingers scratching the torn sod of Ohio Stadium. At Chad Henne's bark, Penton would explode from his stance and slip through a maize-and-blue line, leaping toward Henne and barreling him to the ground. Penton's sack was his defining moment as a Buckeye---or was it?

One month earlier, Penton would orchestrate a greater spectacle. Challenged by former head coach Jim Tressel to pay it forward in the Columbus community, Penton responded in kind with The Main Event, a project he had dreamed up years before. In coordination with Athletes-In-Action, Penton rented St. John's Arena for a night of motivational speaking and Christian outreach. He expected 3,000 to 5,000 people to attend. Instead, the event drew 13,500.

Penton had dabbled in motivational speaking before, giving speeches for various local charities and youth groups. His success made him an attractive figure. A Communications Major, Penton was an Academic All-Big Ten and Ohio State Scholar-Athlete member each year at Ohio State. His high-profile play on the field lent him instant credibility amongst young Ohio State fans, and his grades pleased their parents and teachers.

Following his senior year, he was rewarded with the Danny Wuerffel Trophy, informally known as the Humanitarian Heisman, an award given to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement."

The award could have been Penton's peak, the signature moment that capped his motivational speaking inclinations. But he had other plans. Despite a possible NFL career looming, and an invite to the Hula Bowl, Penton abandoned his shot at professional football and devoted himself to full-time ministry. Since his graduation from Ohio State in 2006, Penton has traveled across the country speaking to middle and high school students, drawing upon his experience at Ohio State as inspiration. To date, he has spoken with over 300,000 students across the country.

Penton's career has extended past the vocal stage. His first book, Stand Your Ground, was published in 2010 and was aimed at youth struggling with peer pressure. Partially autobiographical, Penton explains his personal struggle with friends who resented his decision to not drink in high school. By the time he graduated from Van Wert High School, he was ostracized from his jock friends who typified the frat boy stereotype. Stand Your Ground offers advice for youth sitting at the crossroad between personal morality and social norms, and it's a refreshing reminder that the two are in constant tension.

While many of Penton's teammates will enter the pantheon of Ohio State athletic history, he continues to carve out his own success story. His second book, Seven Lies Almost Every Teen Believes, was published last August and continues in the vein of his first, exploring the beliefs dominant in America's youth culture. He will continue touring schools and speaking to students, and anyone who would like to contact him can do so at his website, joelpenton.com.

To see the rest of the Buick Human Highlight Reel, and even share a story of your own, go to ncaa.com/buick. This post is sponsored by Buick.