OT - Did you play or coach?
Seth’s new series about football concepts and terminology yielded comments from several MGoBloggers who played the game. It made me curious: how many folks on the Board have played or coached football?
I have watched football since I was a very young kid and I’m very passionate about Michigan football (and the San Diego Chargers). However, I have never played nor coached. That’s why I love learning the mechanics of the game because the gritty details are new education for me. We also like to get to the stadium really early for most games to catch the warm-ups.
Did you play or coach football? Please freely relive any glory days, or just share what you love about the game.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:22 AM ^
from 8th grade to Freshman year in College. I walked-on to the University of Toledo.
Biggest claim to fame was being picked up and dropped during walk-throughs by Dan Williams - he of limited NFL "fame" (Link).
We had legit astroturf for our field surface, so the "rug burns" kept it fresh in my mind for a while.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 10:30 AM ^
I had a few undiagnosed concussions. I hit a guy head-on on a trap play and fell to the ground. I couldn't stop laughing for several minutes straight.
In "those days" I didn't even have to miss a series. I went to the sidelines, told "Doc" I was good - and went back in shortly thereafter.
Matter of fact, sports medicine was waaaay different back then. I tore BOTH quads, got a shot of something "interesting" and played the rest of the game.
Ah...the good old days.
/s
August 26th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^
Yep. I was part of a head-on collision and laid on the ground for a minute wondering where I was. Got back up, and went back to the huddle. Along with a couple other head-rattling hits, I probably would have been diagnosed with a couple concussions if they were as big of a deal back then.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:54 AM ^
Had a ton of football sessions where next thing I know I'm sitting in a recliner, or soccer games that I do not remember the next day.
Hopefully damage is done and recovered and won't re-appear in older age.
August 26th, 2016 at 11:01 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
I played from 4th grade thru high school. I was a RB and had quite a few violent helmet to helmet collisions where I saw a "flash". I was also clotheslined at Dearborn Fordson (they always hit very hard back in the day) - I got up and stayed in the game but everything including the sky was a dull shade of green.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
I played SS/WR through the end of High School, although I was unfortunately injured for a good portion of my upperclassmen years. May coach later in life, not sure yet.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:24 AM ^
I would have thought you'd go Pro and lay waste to the NFL.
/s
August 26th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
I played and am now coaching. I hold very few things in this world in a greater light than the game of football.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
Other than a one-year hiatus while changing jobs, I've been coaching since I got out of college.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
Played through high school, coached the last two year - enjoyed it, but I'm only 25 and wanted to spend my weekends doing other things (actually being able to watch UM games live). Will probably get back to coaching when I'm settled down.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
Oh, the one with the pigskin? Never mind :/
As an aside, if you ever want to test your conditioning, play indoor soccer.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
I play twice a week but my body can barely take once a week. Hard to get the lifting in when something hurts from soccer.
My goal is to make it to 40 then retire and focus on lifting/crossfit at that point.
Then at 60 focus on biking and disc golf.
August 26th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
I could really run and was asked to play in both high school and college.
In high school my dad said, "sure you can play, but you can't live here if you do."
In college, I was on the soccer team so I passed (division 3 - anyone can play division 3).
August 26th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^
Wish I was coaching. Don't give up on your dreams for a paycheck, kids.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:29 AM ^
But I go to every home game and cheer very loud. So I believe that certifies me as an expert. Also I like to get mad at the TV during away games.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^
Does your family leave the house like mine does?
August 26th, 2016 at 11:06 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^
Raising smart and understanding daughters!
August 26th, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^
My wife and daughter waffle between laughing at me and thinking I'm a complete idiot.
I overheard my daughter telling a friend on facetime, "yeah my dad's crazy. I heard him tell a football player on television that he sucks and he'll never get any chicks".
August 26th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
quizzed and tested...ha...reminded me of the scene in the movie diner where he calls off the wedding after his intended fails the test on the baltimore colts
August 26th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:30 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^
and coached.
I remember being given a tour of the Michigan practice in 1985 by then lead scout Fritz Seyferth. Walking by the injured demonstration squad guys (of which I knew I would be one) many adorned in leg casts and on crutches was eye opening and stuck in my mind. After the tour we returned to his office and he told me they were looking at me at running back. That thought terrified me and returned my mind to the injured demo guys. I walked out of that office and that was the end of my playing days. I would just be a student. Regrets? I've had a few.
But, then again, too few to mention.
Go Blue!
August 26th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
I never got that pair of black Nike turf shoes and I never got to touch the banner running onto the field.
Oops, I guess I mentioned them.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:57 AM ^
This is truly a sad story. How many get the opportunity to even put on a winged helmet for practice? That would have been amazing
August 26th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
Coaching gives you the same competitive rush, a broad view of in game strategy instead of laser focus on positional duties, the ability to watch and help kids grow and get better, and much, much less pain.
Coaching truly is even more enjoyable than playing.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^
Played in middle school and high school. Learned alot about myself and that you can endure anything with the right mental attitude and dedication. The game teaches mental toughness, self discipline, teamwork, leadership, and accountability. When taught correctly football can truly be a fantastic experience for a young man. That and it is fun to strap up tight and go hit your friends as hard as you can and not get in trouble for it.
Harbaugh is correct when he says football is the last bastion of toughness for American males. Bryant Gumbel can shove it when he says that isn't "enlightened".
August 26th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
I like where Harbaugh is coming from with that statement, but there are other sports (hockey, wrestling, etc.) that also teach toughness and mental fortitude.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^
True, but wrestling is an individual sport so you miss out on the teamwork aspect. Hockey is a great sport too, I never played organized but I played a ton of pond hockey.
Plus there there is the huge disparity in Football's impact on American culture and Hockey's. Football is a sanctioned high school sport in all 50 states according max preps. Hockey is only sanctioned in nine. I think that was Harbaugh's point when he said last bastion for toughness in American males. We all have exposure to football whether we are from Maine or Arizona. We don't all have the same exposure to Hockey.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
Played from second grade through high school. Won two state championships (ah, the glory days). Any time that my wife and I go out to any place fancy, I try to covertly wear my championship rings to embarrass her. She catches me every fricking time.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
Walked on to BGSU for 2 years before I transfered to Michigan just for school. Even in the MAC, these athletes are nuts. Worked my absolute ass off just to get a couple of snaps on specials teams.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^
We used to have brutal schoolyard games as a lad and they were the most fun I've ever had playing sports. I was always torn between soccer and football and ended up playing neither in HS. I played one year in 8th grade and was pretty useless.
I transferred schools my junior year and came out for football my senior year. By then I was filled out and fairly athletic. All my best friends played and I was psyched to join the team even though they were terrible (even for Long Island). In practice and in camp, I got some snaps at linebacker and made some plays in scrimmages including an INT and some fumble recoveries. I also punted which was fun as hell.
But, the coach was a dick and I didn't like him and I quit a few weeks into the season because I was an entitled, punk-ass senior.
Biggest regret of my life.
August 26th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^