Eleven Warriors "Threat Level" piece gets it right
One of OSU's main websites is Eleven Warriors. I go over there every now and again to see what they're saying about Michigan. There happens to be a regular weekly piece there, Threat Level, which assesses how great of a threat Michigan is to OSU. The threat level changes week by week based on Michigan's performance against the previous week's opponent. The levels are, low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe.
This week, after the MSU, the column was completely different. The title really says it all:
THREAT LEVEL IMAGINES A WORLD IN WHICH RIVALRIES BEGIN AND END ON THE FIELD
I love a section written by Johnny Ginter in this piece:
The video of the attack is awful and what happened was disgusting.
And I think my point with the Threat Level this week is to point out that there's no "But..." that has to be written after the above sentence. There is no moral accountability sheet that we have to tabulate. Michigan State fans aren't required to bring up every offense a Michigan player or coach has perpetrated against the Spartans to somehow balance the scales of guilt when something bad happens. No one, no matter how obnoxious we perceive them to be or assume they were acting, deserves to be assaulted, period.
Sometimes Bad things can just be Bad without stumbling backwards over piles of grudges and late hits and alleged crimes and general garbage behavior to try and prove a point about who's morally superior.
I strongly agree with this piece. I will say, I don't much care for comments here at mgoblog that suggest Michigan is morally superior, or that we should never play MSU again because "by definition," they're morally bad, they're corrupt, they're thugs, they're evil.
Ginter closes with a good thought, and a great picture:
The long and short of it is that it's necessary to demand better, 100% of the time, no matter who is wearing what jersey, even and especially if it's our own. There is a moral standard that everyone can uphold together, whether they're in East Lansing or Ann Arbor or Bloomington or Columbus. I'm glad that in this instance, that seems to be happening, and it makes it easier to remember when things go right.
I hope all of us remember to demand better, not only of MSU players and fans, but also of the Maize and Blue, and of ourselves.
October 31st, 2022 at 10:46 PM ^
Fuck them they are thugs
October 31st, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
Were you microwaved as a baby?
October 31st, 2022 at 11:10 PM ^
I'm running on 2 hrs of sleep and I made a comment trashing the above user BoLeach7.
They didn't deserve my ire. I humbly apologize. No matter the circumstances I should not address people that way.
November 1st, 2022 at 7:24 AM ^
No idea what you said but I'm sure that nothing worse has ever been said on the internet.
November 1st, 2022 at 6:43 AM ^
Class article. The comments... on par with this.
November 1st, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^
Serious question for the board. What is the latest and greatest rules in using the word “thug”? I know Beilein got in trouble using it, but I don’t know where we stand on this topic today since I’m not on any social media and don’t follow politics at all. Can the word “thug” be used appropriately in any context? If not, can you say “they acted like thugs”?
November 1st, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
there are no rules. it's language. words. you can say whatever you want.
and people are free to use their words to display whatever their emotions are regarding the words you just used.
November 1st, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
"I didn't say you ARE a bitch, I'm just saying you're acting like one".
Total difference.
November 1st, 2022 at 6:10 PM ^
I use punk instead of thug just because. People get offended by way too much these days, imo, but if it's a large enough group of people getting offended there might be a legitimate reason why, or at the very least I can just try not to offend that large group of people.
I always thought the Panasiuk brothers were thugs though
November 1st, 2022 at 11:56 AM ^
As I don't believe that I truly have to explain, the word thug is a dog whistle word that is used instead of a word that people have generally said is off limits.
With that being said, saying that someone is behaving like a thug is the way to get one's point across without having to worry about coming across as being racist. IMO
November 1st, 2022 at 3:29 PM ^
The rule is that every thug needs a lady.
November 2nd, 2022 at 9:52 AM ^
I believe Bone and his band mates can be called thugs… and ruggs, well thuggish and ruggish at any rate.
October 31st, 2022 at 10:48 PM ^
I hate to comment on my post, but if a mod or proprietor can fix this by adding the photo of Devin Gardner comforting J.T. Barrett, I'd be much obliged. And perhaps you can tell me how to embed the photo for the next time I post and want to add a pic.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:06 PM ^
Thanks for posting this. Good read - I like the sentiment of demanding better of others and of ourselves.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:10 PM ^
I can't fix your post, but I can get the pic up for you.
November 1st, 2022 at 7:26 AM ^
It is interesting to see the respect they have for Gardner on 11 Warriors (this photo pops up repeatedly over there) and then compare that to what Staee fans say about Devin on RCMB
November 1st, 2022 at 9:55 AM ^
He also took a team that wasn't anywhere near their league, and got within a two point conversion. ON A BROKEN FOOT. Hard for even them to not respect the guy.
November 1st, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
As a OSU fan, I disliked Gardner greatly, just because of his talent level and grit, he made me nervous. But after that game, I gained respect for Gardner that I hold at a higher level than a lot of OSU players. If I had a favorite Wolverine, he is it.
November 1st, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
As an Ohio State fan, I can confidently say that the vast majority of us like Gardner, to the point that, for many of us, he is our favorite non-Buckeye player.
He was exciting to watch and always left everything he had out on the field, nearly willing his teams to victory against us on three different occasions, despite being criminally misused in Brady Hoke's system. But even more importantly that, he was a class act, on and off the field. Despite being a better athlete than almost everyone else on the field, he was never arrogant, respecting both teammates and opponents. And, of course, the moment where he came over to comfort JT Barrett (in the 4th quarter of a very close game) was pure class, as was his postgame statement concerning JT's injury:
"You hate to see any player get hurt, especially a guy like him. A great guy, a hard worker. A guy who was called upon and he's executed and done it humbly.''
I hope my boys grow up to be Buckeye fans... but I hope even more than they grow up to be men of character like Devin Gardner.
November 1st, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
Devin has always been a class act and is becoming a star broadcaster.
November 1st, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
If he wants, he is going to be in the business for a long time. He is great in the booth and on MMQB
October 31st, 2022 at 10:49 PM ^
Amen, brother.
There is a reason OSU is our top rival and not a regional program of cowardly so-called Greek warriors. I can't stand Ohio State but they do act like the have been there. State, on the other hand, continues to whine about the disrespekt they so richly earn.
October 31st, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
Michigan should never play MSU again until they can show that they have eliminated the toxic culture within their athletic department that has led to several major transgressions.
I'm not claiming that MSU students, coaches, staff members, or fans are inherently evil, nor do I disagree that Michigan can (and should) continue to do better. Keep in mind, there are a number of head-to-head recruiting battles between the two schools. Is it really plausible that, e.g., Rayshaun Benny is a morally upstanding young man because he chose Michigan, but would have been a horrible, goat-sacrificing monster if he'd gone to MSU?
However, a plethora of events have convinced me that something within the MSU athletic department has worked to encourage behavior that Michigan should not need to tolerate. It's not personal -- if MSU plays this way against, e.g., Maryland, then Maryland should refuse to play them also. If you told me that Michigan would also boycott Wisconsin basketball, for the same reason, I wouldn't argue.
Once is happenstance; twice is coincidence. At this point, it's a pattern: it is unsafe for Michigan to put their athletes in the vicinity of MSU athletes.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:02 PM ^
Agreed. It's not safe to play them and the games aren't even fun. Plus beating them is very rarely worth more than just in-state bragging rights, they're rarely a factor in the Big Ten race. Get them off the schedule until they can act like actual humans.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:08 PM ^
At first glance, I wouldn't be a fan of pulling MSU off the schedule. But I suppose if it could be done for the next 2 years, once at MSU and once at UM, that wouldn't be all bad. Taking them off the schedule for 2 years would mean that MSU wouldn't play at Michigan until 4 years from now.
Is it literally possible for the Big 10 commissioner's office to completely rejigger the entire schedule of the Big 10 for the next 2 years? Or would it be better to wait until there no longer are divisions? And if there are no longer divisions, and (completely theoretically,) UM and MSU ended up as the best 2 teams in the big 10, would that mean no championship game that year?
As much as Michigan fans are saying, "don't play them," it is hard to see how to make it work logistically.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
Honestly -- and this might get me negged, but ha-ha, points are broken ;) -- I would be OK with Michigan forfeiting next year in EL if MSU cannot guarantee a safe environment. Yes, that means Michigan would get a loss. But consider how much worse it could have been. What if MSU #41 & #33 hadn't dragged their teammate away? What if #3 had encouraged other MSU players to join in instead of encouraging them to go into the locker room? What if Michigan players hadn't intercepted German Green, who seemed about to charge into the MSU locker room, 1 vs 75, in defense of his brother?
We all accept that football is an inherently violent sport. But I've sat behind Gemon Green's mom at a game (TWINS MOM jersey; I like it!). She seems like a very nice woman, and I can't imagine trying to explain to her that I considered winning a football game in East Lansing to be worth exposing her son -- or anyone else's son -- to grievous bodily harm.
Now, if they play the game, and lose, I'll be devastated. But if they forfeit, because MSU cannot / will not ensure that Michigan players are safe, then I will hold my head up high. Michigan calls itself the Leaders and Best. Well, sometimes leading means doing the right thing and accepting the consequences thereof.
November 1st, 2022 at 6:26 AM ^
I loved the idea on the podcast of making next years game have to be played in Ann Arbor as punishment. I think Dave said tongue-in-cheek, but that’s an outstanding solution, IMO. Durable, severe and clearly sends a message that this is never going to be tolerated.
November 1st, 2022 at 8:52 AM ^
I can guarantee you no one associated with the team would go for that in a thousand years.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
I'm not claiming that MSU students, coaches, staff members, or fans are inherently evil,
Sure they are.
November 1st, 2022 at 8:15 AM ^
This a thousand times!
October 31st, 2022 at 10:56 PM ^
Yeah I popped over and read the whole thing on Eleven Warriors. It was nice that at least some OSU fans do have our backs in regards to putting humanity over rivalry.
October 31st, 2022 at 10:57 PM ^
That’s nice. That’s also the website that said this was the third incident in 7 games in the tunnel, as they equated chirping vs OSU last year with PB&J tossing with what MSU did, so not everyone over there has it figured out.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:03 PM ^
I'm curious: did a piece written by 11W state this was the third incident, or was this something in the comment section? I wouldn't completely equate the two. Imhe, there are plenty of things said in the mgoblog comment section which I take issue with internally, even if I don't respond with a comment. (And FTR, obviously, chirping and PB&J tossing are not equivalent with what MSU did.)
There is a significant subset of the OSU fanbase, and for that matter, of the UM fanbase, who have their judgement impaired by their blind hatred and rage for their rivals.
November 1st, 2022 at 12:37 AM ^
There are several related posts in the forum and the one in your OP. The comments of their "fans" are horrendous and are the exact opposite of the above writer's sentiment. They may be worse than sparties.
November 1st, 2022 at 1:25 AM ^
Yep, I'd fully agree with you. That part of their fanbase, and MSU's fanbase, and Michigan's fanbase, is something I don't care for at all.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:02 PM ^
Most aren't saying M should never play MSU again, but a break is probably a good idea. Let the bad blood cool off for a couple years then try it again.
I mean, we haven't played ND in a few years, and they're a legit rival. Rivalries can go on breaks and still be rivals.
USC & UCLA coming into the league, plenty of good teams to play.
November 1st, 2022 at 2:01 AM ^
Really want to get an L.A. team on the schedule. Would love to trade next 6 years of MSU for alternating UCLA/ USC. Doubt those teams could make it happen for a few years though? Maybe there's a way...
October 31st, 2022 at 11:04 PM ^
I wholeheartedly agree. I've read some really ugly things on Twitter and it's all very disheartening. This over football.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:12 PM ^
I haven't read then in years, but I'm glad Ginter is still writing for 11W. He's funny and I appreciate him standing up for the good guys in this one.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:23 PM ^
Big Ten needs to ban MSU from a bowl game this year…
Oh, right, they’re a couchfire that’s not going bowling anywhere
Nevermind.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:27 PM ^
They will be on a self imposed bowl ban for the next few seasons, due in no part to this incident.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
Everyone "gets" it right.
Except Staee.
While we're at it... ask those fucking cocksuckers why "Staee" is even a thing in the first place?!
Animals.
Staee wants to grind on Michigan players waving bye bye to them... like that's the moral equivalent of a concussion.
People on 97.1 act just like Staee's rape enabling: "did you see how short her skirt was", "she knew what the party was all about" == "why wasn't that Michigan player celebrating on the field".
Fuck Staee.
November 1st, 2022 at 7:10 AM ^
stig, i dig the avatar change.
October 31st, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
Naturally there are some massively upvoted comments about how McBurrows "fucked around and found out". Yikes.
November 1st, 2022 at 1:31 AM ^
Sounds to me like he might laugh his way to the bank with all of the Sparty perps Mat Ishbia NIL money.
November 1st, 2022 at 1:52 AM ^
I wouldn't mind if the M vs MSU game didn't happen for some time. The game can be replaced with a rotation of USC, UCLA, and Oregon and Washington, since from what I've read, it looks like Oregon and Washington will also be joining the BIG10. I know M vs MSU is a long standing rivalry. But I personally wouldn't miss it. It's never seemed important to me.
November 1st, 2022 at 6:13 AM ^
I, too, read this yesterday before you posted this because I wanted to see how the other rival thought about what happened. It was a great piece to write up nonetheless, but if you go to their forums and read the thread about it, tells a different story. Most act like UM deserved it based on no merit. There were a few who had a voice of reason but by and large were similar to MSUs thoughts.
November 1st, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^
I fully agree with you. Having said that, there are plenty of guys in the Mgoblog commentariat who are in the same place as OSU fans, in their hatred for OSU.
In this world, there are too many people who hate pretty indiscriminately. I guess this continues to be on my mind, having just visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, and having seen what the Polish people suffered at the hands of both Germany and Russia. Indiscriminate hatred. Jews and Roma (formerly Gypsies) were not even considered human by the Germans. My ancestors owned thousands of slaves in Kentucky before the Civil War, and they weren't considered human either. My daughter attended a soccer game in Krakow between two major rivals, and she witnessed the hooliganism and hatred in the fanbases for fans of the other team.
I just watched a new movie, "All Quiet on the Western Front" on Netflix. Imhe, it is a great movie, albeit very sobering, hard, and sad. Somehow, I never had to read the book. But in war, I think there comes a time, sometimes at least, when you realize, the enemy is made up of people, just like you.
Having just been in Poland, I met many Ukrainians, bringing back memories of my childhood in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago. What is so very sad is that because of Putin and others like him, millions and millions of people, in both Ukraine and Russia, (let alone the rest of Europe,) are being affected very negatively. All because of violence and indiscriminate hatred.
As Ginter said, there is no "but" that justifies the violence, regardless of your fanbase.