Video: Absolute class from JJ McCarthy when asked if he was hoping to be able to go up against Cade McNamara
Note: The tweet/video won't embed for some reason- I'll try to do that in a comment below. Here's direct link to video: https://x.com/bradgalli/status/1729354533615100167
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Most here are familiar with the way Cade McNamara treated JJ: Ignoring him, being completely disinterested in mentoring him, holding the internal battle to be the starter higher than The Team, The Team, The Team.
JJ easily could have taken the bait to make it personal, to make jabs with tones of revenge/payback- but as we all have seen time and time again, that’s just not who he is. Instead he showed nothing but class, humility, and respect (when disrespect would have been beyond understandable). He went out of his way to maintain the highest level of sportsmanship.
Here's the quote when asked if he was hoping to be able to go up against Cade McNamara:
“I was, I wanted to just be able to see [Cade] again. It’s just amazing to be able to see how both of our journeys turned out. And it was obviously at the forefront of our mind at the beginning of the season to have that chance to play Cade and Erick again. Just to be able to see the guys at the end of the day, because two great guys, it'd just be awesome to be on the same field with them again. It’s pretty cool. Even though they’re not playing, it will be great to see them."
It’s a testament and golden reflection of:
- the program
- the school
- the intentional culture
- the kind of players Harbaugh and all the coaches consistently bring to Michigan (because JJ certainly isn’t the only player with outstanding character like this- M is loaded with them!)
- and, the way Harbaugh/coaches lead by example, showing these young men what it really means to be a Michigan Man
Cheers to JJ, all of team 144, Harbaugh, and the coaches. (Lock Harbaugh up with a contract extension already- preferably LIFETIME)
ALSO: BEAT IOWA
November 28th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
Good look and seemed real genuine from JJ. No need to go low when you're already at the rooftop and they are on the sidewalk.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
JJ also seems to have a good relationship with Kyle McCord. The OSU game was very clean with few penalties and I thought good sportsmanship all around for such an intense game.
I expect the Iowa game to be no different and appreciate what McNamara did for us two years ago.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
JJ gets it.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
Good for him.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:48 AM ^
JJ is very polished. He’s obviously had coaching from Crash Davis on this subject.
Cade…dude I read more Iowa content than anyone should have to, and part of the frustration that “offensive” “coordinator” “Brian” Ferentz had earlier this year was that Cade was CLEARLY still competing to be Michigan’s starter in his head. Which led to mistakes.
He’s got some growing up to do.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
On the serious side I'm not sure JJ ever needed the Crash Davis crash course. Nuke had that million-dollar arm and ten-cent head, but JJ strikes me as a guy with high-level emotional intelligence, like Dan Campbell. He's a natural with people.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Some people never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
The sour grapes from Cade and All are especially striking in contrast to Barner (and Tuttle). Both are sets of former captains that transferred, and yet you didn't hear Barner throwing any shade when we played Indiana...
November 28th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
To be fair, Barner and Tuttle upgraded in coming to Michigan. Why throw shade when your new team is heading towards a possible CFP spot and your old team is fighting for fourth place in the division?
November 28th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
Have to give a shout out to JJ's parents, too. They've obviously instilled some grace in him.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:06 PM ^
Absolutely agree- didn't mean to leave them out!
November 28th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
Look at who is mentoring Cade. It Jordan Palmer. He is a prick and it makes Cade would act like he does.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
JJ is all class and only gives positive vibes answers. Always. I don't know how conscious he is of it, if he works at it or it's just totally natural, but I only ever expect this kind of response from him. Happy to have this type of leader as our QB.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Overwhelmingly, this tells me that the QB battle turned out the right way for Michigan. JJ is superior in ability, class, and character.
As for "that other guy", he should learn to say less. Unfortunately, it's a lesson I had to learn as well.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
Note to JJ:
Young man, I assure you - you will always, repeat always, be better off taking the high road in all your personal and professional dealings. You're doing great and clearly have no ceiling in life. Bravo.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
I know a lot of executives who always say the right thing. Quite often it comes across as sincere; why not say the right thing? But a lot of the time you can tell that they are just working people for their advantage. I feel like JJ is sincere, which is nice.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
I will restate my policy: Talk sh** on your way out, and you're dead to me.
November 28th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
JJ is an absolute treasure... If it looks like he will get drafted in the first round, he probably has to take that shot and we'll absolutely cheer him on in the NFL. But if there's even a sliver of a chance he might come back, I hope a Brinks truck level NIL opportunity is lined up for him. It'd be so amazing to have him lead this team next year and I know he'd be an incredible mentor for Jadyn Davis and the rest the QB room. A true leader among men.
November 28th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
The kid is as classy as he is talented.
I'm gonna see that TD pass to Roman in my dreams for years!
November 29th, 2023 at 1:23 AM ^
Cade and Eric All did great things for Michigan, and they are fellow Wolverines. I wish them the best and am glad that they played for Michigan.