An Interview With Jon Runyan Comment Count

Tim

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Former Michigan offensive lineman Jon Runyan, a 14-year veteran of the NFL, is running for congress in the state of New Jersey. Though mgoblog doesn't endorse or un-endorse any political candidate or ideal, we had the opportunity to ask Jon a few questions about his football career, Rich Rodriguez, and his upcoming congressional race.

Michigan and Football

Growing up in Filnt, were you always a Michigan guy or did you like the Spartans growing up?

I was and always will always be a Michigan Man.

You racked up a number of awards during your college career (most notably All-Big Ten in your final season), but was it a hard decision to leave early for the draft?

It was hard, but the fact that I got injured the year before and missed the Bowl game was a huge factor in my decision to leave. It was a calculated risk, but looking back on it, it all worked out for the best.

How often to you manage to catch Michigan games, either in person or on TV?

I have not been back to any games. I have a very young and active family, therefore most of my free time in the fall is spent on the youth soccer/football fields.

Going on to your NFL career, you played primarily for a couple teams, the Oilers/Titans and the Eagles. When you think about your football career on the whole, which team do you identify more with? Why?

I have to say the Eagles, I feel that I had a bigger role in making that team into how everyone knows it. In my early years (Oilers/Titans) I was young and looking for direction. I learned that from a great group of guys and took that knowledge to Philly.

With the Eagles, Brian Westbrook credited you with the idea to take knee at the one yard line going in a couple years ago. Was that the Michigan education shining through?

We can say that. Also it has a lot to do with confidence and understanding of the people and situations around you!

Michigan Today

What is your opinion of the first couple years of Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor?

It takes time. When you bring in a new system and coaches, you have to get the current players to buy in and at the same time recruit players that may fit your system better. But that's the challenge of being a college coach.

Have you talked to Coach Rodriguez at all, worked out on campus, etc.?

I have introduced myself once, the only time I have been back to A2 since he was hired.

You experienced a coaching change during your Michigan career. What was it like to go from Moeller to Carr? I assume the transition wasn't quite as rough as the one Michigan's going through now.

It was not as rough as the current change. I was lucky to be recruited by coach Carr out of high school, and it was't as big of a transition. There also wasn't a huge changeover in assistant coaches (lot of friends in the room).

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Politics

Moving on, what made you decide to go into politics following your NFL career?

I have been very active in my community dating all the way back to my trips to Motts Children's Hospital and this is the next step in my community service. Although it is a big one, I know it is the right one.

To learn more about my campaign, please visit my website at www.runyanforcongress.com.

Comments

Raback Omaba

May 4th, 2010 at 11:53 AM ^

Interesting that this was posted...I was having a conversation with my cousin last night about "who did you know/go to high school with that is now well know/famous?"

As a Flint native and Carman Ainsworth Grad, my cousin's first response was a resounding "Jon Runyan". He used to know him well and lived in the same neighborhood....apparently Runyan was a beast on the basketball court, even from a young age. My cousin was surprised when he went in to football as he said "basketball was always what he was best at, he could've been a beast"

That is, of course, in relation to my short ass cousin playing against him in the driveway.

It's good to hear that Runyan's doing well...hopefully he can make it to a few games soon, or at least the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this year.

Tater

May 4th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^

And thanks for the link.  It's always great to see yet another UM alum succeed both on and off the field after his career at UM.  As for "equal time," this is a sports blog: not a mainstream media outlet, so "equal time" wouldn't apply anyway.   Besides, the interview doesn't mention any political views; it only mentions that he is running. 

In other words, it did a very good job of doing something you didn't: keeping politics and petty personal grievences out of mgoblog.  Maybe you could take note for next time.

pz

May 4th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^

A simple mention that he is running for Congress and the background on his interest there is perfectly fine. I just didn't think the link to his site was totally necessary coming from a "sports blog." Different strokes.

Magnus

May 4th, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^

It's a link to a former Michigan player's website.  What's the big deal?  I'm sure many people at Adler's alma mater (I don't know what it is and I don't care) wouldn't care if someone posted his website on their blog.

If you don't like links about former Michigan players and related websites, maybe MGoBlog and the internet are the wrong places for you.

M-Wolverine

May 4th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^

He's a Michigan Man, and an athlete (this blog's angle). If you want to learn more about what one is doing, the link is there. Obama coming to Michigan was mentioned. Because, it's like, a big deal. There was no need to put a post on who the Republicans were speaking to that day. Because it wasn't political. You're the only one to bring it up, So it must be because you don't like Runyan's views (which I don't even really know or care about).

willywill9

May 4th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^

Interesting that he mentions Mott's Children's Hospital visits as sort of the beginning of his being active in the community.  I think that just speaks volumes about the Michigan program as well as the types of people who have been directly a part of it.  Go Blue!

joeburner82

May 4th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^

I have a strong  feeling that Taylor Lewan is gonna follow in the footsteps of Runyan, Long, Jansen, Jumbo, and many others.  I am very encouraged that two offensive tackles from spread offenses were drafted in the top 10 this year.  That should be a positive sign for Michigan's recruiting in the future.

iheartlarryfoote

May 4th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^

I would vote for equal time if Adler played football for Michigan but he didn't.  You posting his link and harping on the writers of this blog shows more partisanship than anything they did.  If Runyan was a D then you wouldn't have a problem with it.  You guys are the ones making this blog political.

Njia

May 4th, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^

I have absolutely no problem with the link to his site. None of the Q&A posted here refer to political views in any way. Doesn't mention his opponents name, his political party affiliation or even the Congressional office he's seeking. In other words, its about as benign as possible.

Posting a link to his opponent's site, however, is explicitly political and has absolutely nothing to do with "equal time", but is simply a way of saying, "I don't agree with Runyan's views." I'm looking at you, PZ.

ty@thelionsinwinter

May 5th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

I lost in the semifinals of my 16-team, 53-man-roster, IDP dynasty league because of Westbrook heeding Jon's advice.  Clearly, his "awareness" somehow missed out on the culmination of my four-year franchise turnaround plan!  Jerk.

Peace

Ty