The theme — Teamwork. Sportsmanship. Fatherhood.
Prior to running for office, Jordan was a champion wrestler in high school and college. He worked as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University for eight years.
Jordan struggled to maintain his composure as he talked about his father’s guidance. During an emotional pause in his speech, Jordan said he was having a “Boehner moment.” The reference to House Speaker John Boehner, R- West Chester Twp., whose tearful addresses have gotten media attention and earned him the moniker “Weeper of the House,” elicited laughs from the crowd.
“I was ignorant. I didn’t know a freshman wasn’t supposed to be state champion. That kids from Southwest Ohio weren’t supposed to beat those kids from Cleveland, Akron and Canton where wrestling was big. I didn’t know some redneck country boy from Graham High School wasn’t supposed to win,” Jordan said.
“Dad said if you set goals and work hard good things can happen and I was dumb enough to believe him, right? But, you look back on it and you … appreciate it … and uh, you just appreciate the time that he invested in your life.”