A few months back someone put out their All Time Michigan Players at the defensive and offensive positions. It was fun reading and I liked the banter. It's almost impossible to compare over 130+ years of football, with the most hallowed program on the planet. Let's just say there were, and are, lots and lots of damned good players.
When I think back on this and I realize that I'm celebrating my 40th reunion with the 1975 team and I was a die- hard fan from 1965, I've watched, or participated in 50 years of Michigan Football, almost 40% of everything that has ever happened under the Maize and Blue skies. Damn, I'm an old fart, seems like I was walking in to Bo's office yesterday, seems like Wally and Big Fella (Walt Downing and Mike Kenn) were lifting me over their shoulders trying to bang my head on the goal post cross bar after a TD against Texas A&M. Time flies.
Here is an inside story. This took place fifteen years ago. Bo had a reunion with all 20 teams and over 550 guys showed up. It was a blast. The current coach (Jimmy H.) gave a very impassioned speech about Bo and Michigan. There were plenty of speeches, plenty of back slapping and plenty of fun.
After all the hoopla, about ten guys were invited over to Bill Dufek's home for an after party. This included Wally, Big Fella, and some guys from the mid 70's teams. Our favorite story teller joined the group as well, Jerry Hanlon. Jerry knew every guy at the reunion. He, like Bo, knew every strength, every weakness of every player. He could lift you up or make you feel like a mouse with a simple quip. Just like Bo, Jerry never stops coaching. He doesn't care if you are 45 years old, ex NFL or the president of a major corporation. Once you start talking football everything reverts back to coaching.
As one can imagine, after a grand number of beers, the discussion centered on the proper technique for an offensive tackle to block a certain play. As I said before, in this room were past NFL players that had been coached by some pretty damn good coaches. Within a few minutes, over large objections of Billy's wife the furniture was moved out of the family room on to the lawn and grown men (old men) were in three point stances running Hanlon's technique. The beer (and probable egos) led to some "spirited" unpadded hits that would have undoubtedly led to broken bones for average humans, but, in the end, there were hugs all around. It was, as both Bo and Jerry have said, "great to get after it". For me, it was great memories and a time to cherish. I love those guys and that little Irishman. He is special. He's on my list of All Time guys.
When I think back on this and I realize that I'm celebrating my 40th reunion with the 1975 team and I was a die- hard fan from 1965, I've watched, or participated in 50 years of Michigan Football, almost 40% of everything that has ever happened under the Maize and Blue skies. Damn, I'm an old fart, seems like I was walking in to Bo's office yesterday, seems like Wally and Big Fella (Walt Downing and Mike Kenn) were lifting me over their shoulders trying to bang my head on the goal post cross bar after a TD against Texas A&M. Time flies.
Here is an inside story. This took place fifteen years ago. Bo had a reunion with all 20 teams and over 550 guys showed up. It was a blast. The current coach (Jimmy H.) gave a very impassioned speech about Bo and Michigan. There were plenty of speeches, plenty of back slapping and plenty of fun.
After all the hoopla, about ten guys were invited over to Bill Dufek's home for an after party. This included Wally, Big Fella, and some guys from the mid 70's teams. Our favorite story teller joined the group as well, Jerry Hanlon. Jerry knew every guy at the reunion. He, like Bo, knew every strength, every weakness of every player. He could lift you up or make you feel like a mouse with a simple quip. Just like Bo, Jerry never stops coaching. He doesn't care if you are 45 years old, ex NFL or the president of a major corporation. Once you start talking football everything reverts back to coaching.
As one can imagine, after a grand number of beers, the discussion centered on the proper technique for an offensive tackle to block a certain play. As I said before, in this room were past NFL players that had been coached by some pretty damn good coaches. Within a few minutes, over large objections of Billy's wife the furniture was moved out of the family room on to the lawn and grown men (old men) were in three point stances running Hanlon's technique. The beer (and probable egos) led to some "spirited" unpadded hits that would have undoubtedly led to broken bones for average humans, but, in the end, there were hugs all around. It was, as both Bo and Jerry have said, "great to get after it". For me, it was great memories and a time to cherish. I love those guys and that little Irishman. He is special. He's on my list of All Time guys.
