AD Statement Re: Mazi
December 1st, 2022 at 1:07 PM ^
Athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement that Smith will continue to participate with the program.
"We are aware of the charge against Mazi from a traffic stop back in October," Manuel said in a statement. "Mazi was honest, forthcoming and cooperative from the very beginning and is a tremendous young man. He is not and never has been considered a threat to the University or community.
"Based on the information communicated to us, we will continue to allow the judicial process to play out. Mazi will continue to participate as a member of the team."
Head coach Jim Harbaugh echoed Manuel's sentiments about Smith's character.
"I have respect for our judicial process and with that respect brings confidence that a fair and just resolution is forthcoming," Harbaugh said in a statement. "Mazi’s character and the trust that he has earned over the past four years will continue to be considered throughout the process."
And because not really new thread worthy, here is link to article on why prosecutor took seven weeks, which doesn't really say anything other than "paperwork is sometimes slow":
December 1st, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
Let's go
December 1st, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
BLUE! you forgot the blue...at the end...
December 1st, 2022 at 1:32 PM ^
They ain't scared.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
So, we win?
December 1st, 2022 at 1:54 PM ^
This is a nothing, and was treated as such. Sweet.
December 1st, 2022 at 3:07 PM ^
I understand why lawyers write everything anybody ever says in a 'statement', but it sucks. I want to hear Warde explain why he buried what is probably a nothing-burger for 7 weeks through his words, not a lawyers. I want to hear Harbaugh explain why he's still with the team in his own words.
Don't get me wrong - I firmly believe this is a nothing-burger and that it's the right decision to have kept him on the active roster. But all a 7-week delay does is make a one-time announcement into a 2-3 day event, give life to conspiracy theories, and make it a topic for national broadcasts all day Saturday, when the world wants to watch a good football team. Now ~two-thirds of that world will be wondering why he's playing while facing 'felony charges'.
The AD blew this. Another simple announcement blown in the name of 'privacy', or secrecy, or whatever. I mean, you didn't even have to name the player when announcing that someone was pulled over and found with a gun, and charges may be pending (or whatever the case was, because you apparently thought it was trivial)! JFC!
December 1st, 2022 at 4:15 PM ^
It’s Mullings!!! I’m going to respond to everyone of your posts with the correct spelling!!
December 1st, 2022 at 4:56 PM ^
every one
December 1st, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
Can you explain why they have to tell you anything?
December 1st, 2022 at 6:03 PM ^
They don't "have to", nor did I say they 'had to'. But hey - thanks for reading with(out) comprehension.
I said I would like to hear their own words. Why? Because they would probably be more clear about the situation, and would certainly be more relatable and personal about it. I will never like lawyer-speak. Sorry (not sorry) if the lawyer in you disapproves.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
Seems logical. If they were aware of the incident a while ago nothing changes today, other than in the court of public opinion. Now if he were convicted of a crime that's a whole different story.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:11 PM ^
"Based on the information communicated to us..." Sounds as though the AD has been working with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor and U-M Legal, who have given him some confidence that the issue will be resolved favorably for all parties.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
I don't think this is the case.
I think what they are saying is that he has been charged with something, which means very little, and that he is claiming he is innocent. If he is convicted of something, that would mean something different but he has not been yet.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
Ward: Nothing to see here, Mazi is a good kid
Harbaugh: Mazi has great character. Let’s play football
December 1st, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
Mike Valenti, Rico Beard, Jim Comparoni, Tom Izzo, etc.: 8 game suspension and felonious assault; it's only fair.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:54 PM ^
nah, they will call for the program death penalty due to lack of institutional control.
3 tunnel incidents and now THIS? Out of control, fold the program!
December 1st, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^
Wait, what was the third tunnel incident? I know of PB&Js and MSU.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:15 PM ^
Illinois complained that it took too long for Michigan to come out of their locker room at halftime.
Sparty's have tried to call that a "tunnel incident" which is really a stretch - at worst, it was maybe gamesmanship? I don't know why or how it even became a thing.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
There was a verbal brawl between our guys and the OSU players last year. Mean things said loudly.
So traumatic.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
Hope Mazi didn't have any PB&J sandwiches in the glove box!
December 1st, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
Seems rational and logical.
Still...it would be nice to hear from people on RCMB. I'll reserve judgement until then.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:18 PM ^
Screw RCMB. Why do people keep bringing them up on this situation? F*** them and their opinions, any melting down over Mazi just shows how weak their mentality is.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
Sarcasm...he was being sarcastic...
December 1st, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
My wife is an English professor. She says that people don't do irony or sarcasm anymore. Not kidding, but that when it crops up in a document, professors have to explain to kids what it is. It's interesting, because in a world of patent snark, it really is true that a certain kind of wry commentary really does often go unnoted.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
it really is true that a certain kind of wry commentary really does often go unnoted.
Worse, it will get you cancelled. Satire is an assault.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
Words are now violence. Haven’t ya heard?
December 1st, 2022 at 1:51 PM ^
Didn't Depeche Mode say something about that in one of their songs?
December 1st, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^
I am reminded of Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, who often had to check with Leonard or Penny to see if someone was being sarcastic.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:05 PM ^
Watching Bugs Bunny, and listening to me, is where my kids learned sarcasm. Then Bugs cartoons got chopped to pieces until they stopped showing them on TV.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:51 PM ^
This is where the good ole /s would come in handy.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
My apologies. That went over my head after seeing all the posts about RCMB on the other threads. Carry on.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
When the charges are dropped, the tin foil hats are going to explode.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
No need to even go to RCMB you can read some of the dumb ass responses right here on Mgoblog! Hell you and even see some right here in this thread.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
I'm not saying much until Tom Izzo weighs in.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^
Screw Izzo. Why do people keep bringing him up on this situation? F*** them and their opinions, any melting down over Mazi just shows how weak their mentality is.
December 1st, 2022 at 3:40 PM ^
See discussion above about sarcasm
December 1st, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
Let the process play out. Sounds like they were aware of this. Hopefully Mazi learns a lesson. I do trust Harbaugh in how he handles this. If he thinks the facts don’t warrant a suspension at this juncture then I don’t either. Hopefully the charges are plead down to a misdemeanor and Mazi is more careful next time.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
Emoni's case was dropped, and he had also altered the ID numbers on the gun. If even a midimeaner sticks in the same county, that's some absolute horseshit.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
Wasn’t the gun not his, so he did no altering?
December 1st, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
posted on reddit - so take it with a grain of salt
https://old.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/z9uq5g/vanhaaren_michigan_ad_warde_manuel_and_coach_jim/
sounds like the charge will be dropped.
"Mazi purchased his gun, attended the class, took the test, gave his fingerprints and was in the 45 day waiting period before approval.
He was ultimately approved, but after he had been pulled over, hence the delay."
that is from my local source.
edit - Ace tweet seems to align with this
https://twitter.com/AceAnbender/status/1598390832947757067?s=20&t=iyx5P1IBoEXBmgULBcmGOA
December 1st, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
From your lips to God’s ears this puts all of this in a whole new light if it’s true.
December 1st, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
I'm surprised that this would be a felony. But I guess it's good that our state takes this sort of thing that seriously.
December 1st, 2022 at 2:22 PM ^
I mean, I actually don't think it's great that you can go to jail for 5 years for what amounts to a clerical offense (not to mention that what counts as "concealed carry of a weapon" in a vehicle is an extremely strict definition - very easy to go from totally legal to FELONY CONVICTION with some minor carelessness that doesn't meaningfully impact public safety).
December 1st, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
"The county clerk shall issue a license or notice of statutory disqualification within 45 days after the date the applicant has classifiable fingerprints taken."
When I did my 1st CPL it was over 90 days and I hadn't heard back, I finally had to contact my County Commissioner, I had to go downtown to pickup my CPL and you wouldn't believe they system they had in use at this time. (Wayne County). Just unreal.
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/services/ccw/concealed-pistol-application-and-instructions
December 1st, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
That would be good news, but how can they be so confident the charge will be dropped when it was filed yesterday? If it's so weak, why file it at all? Regardless, it sounds like this was a minor issue and thankfully not part of a more serious offense
December 1st, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
Because Prosecutors are Politicians 1st and defenders of the public 2nd, they need to show that they're being tough on crime. In reality they are just pandering for votes.