Exit Tate Forcier
Via weird Twitter release (@qbforce) last night:
-Immediate Press/Sports Release: January 20, 2011- Robert “Tate” Forcier University Of Michigan Sophomore Quarterback
Why do we all wait until we are at our lowest point to seek God’s help?
I’ve been kicked, pushed, knocked down, publicly berated, belittled, emasculated and more. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to give up or feel the victim. The humility of it all is indescribable and that is exactly my point. I had to reach rock bottom in order to see the light, and for that, I am thankful. It was not until then, I realized that it was my lack of accountability and maturity and not to pass blame.
I do hope all my young fans forgive me and benefit from my lessons that I have learned. Be grateful for what you have and be humble for your successes. Don’t wait to ask God into your life as he will help you see things clearer.
In summary, I believe, I will become a better student and a person of stronger character from these experiences at Michigan. I can proudly state,“I worked hard on the practice field, in the film room and at meetings” after all, football is my passion. I had fun celebrating with the fans. I even competed hard while injured as a true freshman through the last (8) games in 2009, but I always played the game giving it my all.
I am proud to have been part of Michigan Football history and will always cherish the memory. The last few weeks I worked extremely hard to catch back up. I really wanted to stay. I was not giving up on Michigan, but in the end, it was made clear they had given up on me.
With that being said, its time for me to go. I promise the Michigan family and fans I will make you proud again.
Tate Forcier #5 - A Michigan Man Forever - Go Blue
This has been rumored for weeks, and confirmed, in part, by David Brandon at the Brady Hoke introductory presser. From the looks of things, his dad's statement that he'd try to return to the team is no longer an option, and Tate is permanently gone.
This makes Michigan's need for quarterbacks in the 2011 and 2012 classes enormous, as Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner are the only signal-callers left on the roster. An elite player is reasonable (and necessary) in the 2012 class.
January 20th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
January 20th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
I put Tate in the Matt Guttierez camp of Michigan transfers that I root for to succeed...as opposed to the Justin Boren camp of Michigan transfers that I root for to fail spectacularly and publicly (and catch a mean case of herpes)...or the Dan O'Neil camp that I will forget about quickly.
January 20th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
Really too bad. Forcier gave Michigan a lot, and I would have loved to see him stay. Alas, it wasn't to be. I wish him luck, and I hope I get to watch him play again on Saturday in a couple years.
January 20th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
Wish Tate the best in the future, but he sounds like he still has a lot of growing up to do. Paints himself much like the victim when in reality it seems like he never could really handle the pressure, the fan fare, or the workload. I still think he is a bit of a headcase, but much of that may just be being young and thrust into the spotlight.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^
I did not see that at all. I thought he was contrite and sincere. It sounded to me like a young man who was growing up and doing his best not to burn bridges, even though he was disappointed.
Go get 'em Tate. And on a personal note, you gave us all a lot to cheer about in two years. But 67-65 was my first live game in a number of years. Thanks much for your huge part in that.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
He's a victim of his own "hype". He started believing it all and his head got too big too fast. As far as the grades/academics go he's only got himself to blame and I think he addressed that, but it was much too late. This news definitely puts the QB position into the most glaring hole on the team now...
January 20th, 2011 at 10:06 AM ^
and Good Luck
January 20th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
BRADY "JOKE" DOESN'T UNDERSTAND MICHIGAN AND HAS NOW "FORCED" OUT TATE.
HOKE SHOULD BE FIRED FOR REFUSING TO ADAPT TO HIS PLAYER'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS!
January 20th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
Hopefully I will be seeing you in the fall playing for Montana.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
Yeah a fellow Montanan! Do you also go out on the porch and fire pistols into the air when Michigan scores a touchdown? (true story)
January 20th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
Best of luck to you, Tate, as you rebuild your life. Even in these past few darker years of the program, you gave us many fond memories. May you always be "Maize and Blue" at heart!
January 20th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
Wow, what mixed emotions this evokes for me. I am sad things didn't work out for Tate, and sad at the pain Tate has clearly gone through. Having said that, I am glad that Tate has come to a point of taking some responsibility for his own actions and his own failings. More than that, I am glad that at rock bottom, he has let go of his pride and put himself in God's hands.
Most of us reach this point of personal failure sometime in our lives. While a student I flunked out at Michigan, through my own irresponsibility, went to Community College for a term, and come back to work harder and eventually graduate. While I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone, and have regrets, it caused personal growth that might not have come any other way.
Often, the most lasting life lessons are the ones that come at great personal pain, through our own bad choices. It would be nice if we didn't have to learn things the hard way, but some of us just don't get it. I hope my high school senior daughter starts to learn some of these lessons, as she has a bad case of senioritis.
As other posters have noted, Tate's story isn't over yet. I hope that this experience sticks with him and brings lasting change.
Regarding the statement that Michigan gave up on him, I can say this. Unless things have changed since I was at Michigan, Tate could attend Community College for a term, work to get straight A's, be readmitted to Michigan as a student, and continue forward. This leads me to believe that it isn't Michigan, but the football team and the scholarship that are being pulled. I have known football players at Michigan who the coaching staff has given up on. This is something that either Dave Brandon or Brady Hoke must have made clear to Tate. It is possible that with Denard committing to stay, the staff felt that Tate was expendable. With his personal failings, they had the grounds to release him.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
I would also say that with all of the trouble in rebuilding and transitioning, it would make sense that the new staff wouldn't want to hold a scholarship out for somebody who had opportunities and failed to take advantage of them. Michigan is a tough place academically, even with all of the support given to athletes, and you are always lucky to get a second chance if you make mistakes early. I thank Tate for all of the hard work he put in, but if he f-d up in the classroom, I don't blame the new staff at all for taking away the scholarship.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^
wishing you all the luck in your future, tate. you were fun to watch, everything happens for a reason, though, and you'll find your place amongst greatness. thanks for the excitement that was your football career here at michigan. notre dame '09 is something that can never be replaced. i don't think the big house has felt excitement like that in quite some time. thanks for memories. god bless
January 20th, 2011 at 10:23 AM ^
Best of luck to Tate and thanks for the memories. Never seemed like a great fit here off the field, and with the regime change he probably saw the writing on the wall. Wish him the best.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
The Forcier is no longer strong with us.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
Although we obviously don't know the entire story I bet there are a lot of college QB's and other players who see limited or no playing time that would have loved to have had all the chances Tate was given to prove himself.
From what I saw RR and the entire Michigan universe were pulling for him every time he stepped out on the field or put on the uniform (with or without wings).
Good luck to him wherever he goes.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
Does this mean the Enlightened Spartan will now start a HOKE'ED list
lulz
January 20th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
Did Kanye write that for him?
January 20th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
I will miss seeing you in the maize and blue. Best of luck to you in the future.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^
You do realize that saying "best of luck," and "I miss you" to Tate on mgoblog is about as effective as talking to a brick wall.
January 20th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
but this one's too easy to pass up: Given the way his season went, it seems possible that speaking directly to Tate himself might not be much more effective than talking to the aforementioned brick wall.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
Will unused cases of "May the Forcier Be With You" T-shirts now show up in Mozambique?
January 20th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
those who stay will be champions
those who leave will be discussed in both glowing and despised ways on the internet until the next big news hits then they are forgotten until they are resurrected in a diary discussing position depth in two years.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
I'm totally needlepointing that on a throw pillow this weekend
January 20th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
Tate forgot to capitalize "He."
January 20th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
I was watching this last night and it was so strange. If you have your own website, why not just post the "press release" there and link to it from your twitter?
January 20th, 2011 at 11:26 AM ^
I hope it works out for him. Obviously he lacked maturity. This may be good for him in the long run. I see him landing at an Oregon State or a similar level school, and having two good years.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^
Tate Forcier #5, Michigan Man forever
Debatable...
January 20th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
and he didn't blame a lack of family values. He's given more time and effort to the University of Michigan than pretty much every fan, unless you're a doctoral candidate, or something like that. If he wants to claim a title of Michigan Man, he's earned it. Leave the dude alone.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:39 AM ^
But did anyone see Mike Martin's tweet about this? I didn't get to see it before it was deleted. I'm interested in what he had to say about it.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^
A press conference over twitter, really?
January 20th, 2011 at 11:50 AM ^
Well I guess we'll be seeing DG next year. Hopefully he'll be ready.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^
[as Forcier leaves before completing his training]
Boda: Told you I did. Reckless is he. Now, matters are worse.
Obi-Carr: That boy is our last hope.
Boda: No. There is another.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
...that we haven't seen the last of Boda.
January 20th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
Reading through this whole long thread worthwhile.
<br>
<br>Of course now I have "Incomplete was your training...!" running through my head...
January 21st, 2011 at 8:49 AM ^
As Boda talks to Justin Boren just before his transfer........
Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.
-- Boda
January 20th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Facing your own problems can be the hardest thing you do in life. I'm sorry he won't be back, but I hope he will overcome whatever issues he has and get whatever help he needs. It's one thing to have help available; it's another thing to actually admit you need it.
Good luck, Tate, hope you get your degree and get to play some football when you're ready.
And here's wishing Denard and Devin excellent health!
January 20th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
He'll always have ND '09 and Illinois '10. Wherever he ends up, I hope he goes on to finish his degree.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^
January 20th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
January 20th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
I hope everything works out for him, but in all honesty, I'm kind of relieved this whole three-ring circus is over.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
an immature Tate continues to make bad decisions in good and bad times. Good luck Tate unfortunately your going to need it.
January 20th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
I wish Tate luck and hope that he is able to have success wherever he chooses to go. I want to stay positive and remember the great memories that Tate gave us. The ND win in 2009 was amazing and provided hope if only for a little bit. Illinois in 2010 was crazy and Tate helped seal the victory. I was really glad that I was able to be at that game with my Dad. It was a great day.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
Good luck to you. Put the bong down, and you will be successful. Too much talent to waste.
Give the kid a break -- he's 20 years old.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^
Forcier gave us hope 2 years ago,even though he didn't start this year,he still supported the team.I remember wacthing the norte dame game,before the game started he gave coach RICH ROD a hug.I hope he goes to a decent school and gets a chance to start.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
thanks for the memories. toot a loo
January 21st, 2011 at 12:31 AM ^
For both parties. Well, less for us than for him, but since he was having problems staying eligible, it's probably better for everyone.
I wish him the best.
As for our need for a QB on the roster...why wait until 2012? Sure we should grab someone really good in that class, but since we're not going to get close to filling the roster this year, why not pick up an extra QB this year too and redshirt him? That would give us a junior, a sophomore/redshirt freshman and a redshirted true freshman on the roster. So if (god forbid) Denard leaves after his junior year, we'd have a junior/redshirt sophomore starter, a redshirt freshman and (hopefully) a true freshman super recruit on the roster.
Seems like the sensible thing to do.
January 21st, 2011 at 1:37 AM ^
I'm sorry for being a negative nancy about Tate, but this dude has been whining for way too long. Denard is a stud and he couldnt handle it, Then he cant go to class and get good grades and he has the cohones to say that UM didnt want him....??? Did he fry all those braincells last semester? Take care of your educational side of the deal and you would still be rostered MR. FORCIER! GOOD DAY SIR!
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