Michigan fans are detestable. I know; I'm one of them. They walk around like that rich kid in school who didn't care what you thought of him because, dude, he's got tons more money than you do. It pisses you off even more that he doesn't care about your attitude, and gives you the cold indifference of the privileged when you pass him in the hall. As a Michigan fan, it used to be like that. Simply put, we were better than you, and we didn't care how much you whined for your spot in the sun. The entire conference, hell, the entire nation was our little brother.
Was.
Now, I find myself being more "apologist" than "arrogant asshole fan." I don't like it. Especially after reading stuff like this.
The upshot:
Michigan players won't be able to attend a golf fundraiser for kids because of mandatory workouts. In July. In the past, U of M, along with MSU, have sent 20 football players to play golf, sign autographs, and generally have a good time with kids. Now? Not so much.
I'm not an Ohio State fan, so I'm not predisposed to Rich Rod bashing, but dude, WTF? You're going to tell me that an S&C workout in July is more important than allowing some of your athletes to go golf for kids? Michigan State is now going to send extra athletes to cover, and you can't spare one? Oh - the AD approved 3 (3?!?!) athletes can attend from the women's gymnastics team, and from the women's basketball team. Way to turn on that PR juice, UM.
It very well could be that, as a first year coach, Rodriguez had no idea that this is something that his players are supposed to attend, and as such, scheduled an uber-important S&C workout. It was also somewhat irresponsible of the Michigan player liason for the even (former running back Jamie Morris, who I've met and enjoyed speaking with) to not notify the coaching staff until a few days before the event. HOWEVER, with all the negatives flying around the Michigan program as of late, you would have thought that the smart (and right!) thing to do would be to let 20 of your athletes go brighten someone's day.
Rodriguez had better win a hell of a lot of football games, because he's sure not making friends anywhere else.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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2 comments:
Does this come off poorly? Certainly. Do I think that there probably is more here than this story is passing along? Yes. Do I understand why you can't move around a summer S&C session for a good cause? No, no I don't. But before we get all hot and bothered here...
I'd have to say that it's at least probable that Rodriguez and Co. were completely unaware of the team's past participation in this event, or that the event itself even existed. That's not to excuse the lack of participation, but let's at least consider the possibility this wasn't plotted out in his evil lair.
I do find it interesting that we'll watch Rodriguez get raked over the coals for wide and vague generalizations regarding nothing more than hearsay, getting blasted by fellow conference members and rivals across the land as being of made up of little to no moral fiber... Yet in his career spanning more than just a few autumns there's not one single NCAA violation to speak of, not one instance of misdeed or impropriety. Yet somehow he's a snake... er or snake-oil selling salesman with a phallic nickname beloved by our rivals.
Rodriguez's players to miss golf outing... HUGE NEWS!!! OMG! Downfall of all we've ever cared about!
MEANWHILE:
Gary Barnet...er I mean Kirk Ferentz and Iowa are off covering up an alleged rape while the Hawkeyes' compile a rap sheet that undoubtedly would mean the demise of a small sapling. What's that you say? Eh, yawn...
I understand that the microscope is on Rodriguez, but let's stop playing character police here and try to keep a bit of perspective and patience. Who's to say this won't be made up for in some way, shape, or form in the near future?
I agree Champ, I think a great deal of ball dropping here is on the part of the organizers of the charity. It is, however, a little disheartening to see that DESPITE all the bad publicity that the program has received, plans couldn't be changed.
It's one thing to claim ignorance once or twice, it's another to keep doing it over and over. I just think it's sheer bone-headed stubbornness that is preventing the UM players from participating in this event, no matter how little it actually helps.