tom harmon

Mike Murphy, Michigan's first head coach

Got word from The Bentley Library today that they'll be offering extended hours on November 8 (Friday before the Nebraska game), staying open from 5pm to 8 pm. Greg Kinney and Brian Williams will be giving a presentation on some of Michigan's football firsts showing some of the unique photos and documents available at the Bentley.

They'll also offer extending viewing hours for the "Harmon of Michigan" exhibit and at least one showing of the 1965 TV program "One Saturday Afternoon" celebrating the 25th anniversary of Harmon's extraordinary 1940 season featuring game footage and interviews with Harmon, Crisler and Forest Evashevski. They'll also show Yost's 1st contract, the original team #1 photo and other gems to highlight some unique aspects of Michigan's football history.

I'm in the market for my first ever Michigan football jersey. Ever since I was a kid I wanted a #1 jersey (because of David Terrell). Now they don't really use that number, or even sell that jersey (except for a few places).

I'm wondering if the #98 jersey will become the new #1. Each year it will be given to the best player. Potentially you could always have the jersey of the best player. I guess it's hard to say how often they will give it out. If all else fails it's still a Tom Harmon jersey.

EDIT: ONE OF the best players. Better?

Each costs $125.

Kramer #87: http://www.mden.com/shopping/product.cgi?TI1202+1014

Harmon #98: http://www.mden.com/shopping/product.cgi?TI1201+1014

OK, so he means Tom Herman, not Harmon.

Well, he might have said it......I mean it's right there in black and white.

"Tom Harmon has one of the bright young minds in college football," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said of his coach who is, indeed, intellectual enough to be a member of the national high-IQ society, MENSA. "His philosophies are very similar to those of my own."

Tom Harmon at Ohio State 1940:

Since today is Veteran's Day, I got to thinking of Michigan football players who were veterans.  I remember watching Mike Lantry, the Vietnam Vet and FG kicker, on TV as a kid.  I know Tom Harmon also served following his career at Michigan.  Are there other veterans you can think of who played Michigan football (or other sports, for that matter)?

One of the greatest Michigan Men to suit up in the Maize and Blue. 

Some fun facts and stats via wikipedia:

Harmon played college football at the University of Michigan from 1938–1940, he majored in English and Speech, hoping for a future career in broadcasting, and won the Heisman Trophy his senior season. He made his name as a tailback in the single-wing formation, and also excelled as a kicker. Harmon rushed for 2,134 yards during his career at Michigan, completed 100 passes for 1,304 yards and 16 touchdowns, and scored 237 points. During his career he played all 60 minutes 8 times. He also was a member of the varsity basketball team for two years.

Position(s) Halfback Jersey #(s) 98
Born	September 28, 1919 in Rensselaer, Indiana
Died	March 15, 1990 (aged 70)
Career information
Year(s)	1946–1947
NFL Draft	1941 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
College	Michigan
Professional teams
Los Angeles Rams (1946-1947)
Career stats
Rushing Yards	542
Average	5.1
Touchdowns	9 (3 rushing)
Stats at DatabaseFootball.com
Career highlights and awards
1940 Heisman Trophy 1940 AP Athlete of the Year

Flashback in time:

On this day in 1940, which also happened to be Harmon's 21'st birthday, Michigan faced off UCLA where Tom Harmon scored four touchdowns to lead Michigan to a 41-0 win at Cal. During one of his 4 long touchdown runs, a Cal fan had enough of the Wolverine football star and decided to take matters into his own hands. Here is a news clipping of the incident: (via LIFE Magazine, Oct 14, 1940, Vol. 9, No. 16, Pg 47)

Full size article screenshot