Antonio Bass Recovery

Submitted by formerlyanonymous on

Antonio Bass may be one of the original ten mgoblog memes, and one often missed by much of the newcomers. That said, I will link to anything about Antonio Bass, our current quarterback.

His story of recovery made the Daily, you should read it.

Late that night, Carr’s phone rang.

“Coach, I just wanted to tell you,” Bass said in a slow, deliberate voice. “I’ve made my decision.

“I’m going to Michigan State.”

Bass today says he could feel Carr’s normally warm, welcoming personality, the one Carr reserved for all his players, stiffening up. His voice became cold, formal.

“Well, Antonio, I wish you luck up there,” Carr said.

Silence. Bass held in a chuckle as long as he could before blurting out, “Nah, coach, I’m just playing. I’m ready to be a Wolverine.”

There was a brief moment of panic, as Carr set down the receiver to collect himself. Bass thought the coach had hung up the phone and thought he had made a huge mistake.

“It was about a good minute before he said anything,” Bass says, laughing.

“Don’t ever do something like that again,” Carr said. “I will get even with you for that. When you get here, I will get even with you for that.”

Man this is a great read.

Thorin

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:55 AM ^

Does this mean Tate is definitely going to transfer?

Edit: Keep negging me n00bs. The QB Antonio Bass meme will outlive all of you!!!

MGOARMY

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:34 AM ^

Poor kid, I was a senior in high school when he was I remember the hype for him was off the charts. Woulda been nice to have him around for RR. If only............

Drake

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:35 AM ^

That was an amazing article, and Antonio Bass would have made it to the League if he stayed healthy, I know that for a fact.

MinorforPresident

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:48 AM ^

Congrats to Antonio for not giving up and making the most of his time at Michigan. That's a lot to perservere through and many would have taken a different path. I wish him nothing but the best and a lot of success in whatever he does.

Bryan

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:49 AM ^

It took over two years to get feeling back in his foot...wow. I remember watching him in run his freshman year and thinking, "wtf? If only M football could look like this is the future...'

Good for him staying and finishing his degree.

dococ23

February 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 AM ^

what a great read - while its sad knowing that Antonio had so much football potential, its awesome that he persevered and will get his degree from U of M, something that a lot of us can identify with as one of our proudest achievements and greatest memories.

Good luck with everything #18!

Blueisgood

February 3rd, 2010 at 2:21 AM ^

Why don't we ever see stories like this on ESPN? Instead we get 4 years of Tebow man jam all over us. Good for you Antonio. I knew his injury was pretty bad, but I didn't realize he couldn't feel his foot for that long.

Big Shot

February 3rd, 2010 at 2:22 AM ^

I've read and heard so many stories about Antonio Bass over the last few years, and I have so much respect for the guy. I know a lot of adults who aren't athletes who would've felt sorry for themselves after suffering such a devastating injury. The fact that an 18 year-old superstar athlete stayed positive and finished his degree after suffering this life and career changing injury is amazing. It says a lot about Mr. Bass.

Praetor951

February 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 AM ^

I had an opportunity to shadow the head athletic trainer in Lloyd's last year here. I went to Schembechler hall and watched a practice. I got to meet a couple players, but the one that struck me the most was Antonio.

He was rehabbing his injury, it seemed like he was the life of the party in the training room. All of the kinesiology students who worked in the training room seemed to love him, and I was a super shy freshman in the football training room (!!!) then, and he definitely made me feel welcome. As opposed to some of the players who were super cocky, he was really open and outgoing guy. I sort of knew who he was, but just assumed that it was just a particularly nasty knee injury and he would rehab and be back in the fall. No idea that his career would end like that.

Wish him all the best!

bacon

February 3rd, 2010 at 6:49 AM ^

Wow. As much as Antonio Bass return comments are the norm around here, I don't think there's a poster on this board who doesn't pull for the guy. It's great to see that he's getting visiting the Big House one last time to his degree.

Blazefire

February 3rd, 2010 at 7:58 AM ^

Any other receiver, like, any other, would've made that catch two handed and had to just run out of bounds a half step later, if they'd made it at all.

Oh, what might have been, indeed. Who wouldn't have like to see him get the edge against OSU in 2006. One more big play, and that game was ours. And an NC was ours.

WolverineBoston

February 3rd, 2010 at 7:53 AM ^

Wow - I never really knew the full, gruesome extent of his injuries. Every single ligament in his knee was ruptured??? That is so horrific.
Great story for him to earn his degree.

mgolf4

February 3rd, 2010 at 7:55 AM ^

I actually shared a wall in west quad with Antonio. Growing up such a big fan of UofM, my first day as a student athlete was a big day for me. He came over as soon as we moved the first load into the dorm and introduced himself and asked if we needed help. He was really humble and although we didn't really hang out, he always asked me how golf was going and had something funny to say. Thanks for posting the link.

Guttman

February 3rd, 2010 at 7:56 AM ^

We've all shed our tears in the stadium over the years, living, breating Michigan Football with our friends and families. Maybe we haven't made it to full emotional meltdown like the OSU guys in that great, great photo, but we've all felt it.

It happens. Yes, alcohol is often involved. Usually makes the difference between that choked-up feeling and the "I got something in my eye" stage. And then there's the times where there's just no hope of containing it. . .only one of those in my experience, watching Vladimir Konstantinov wheeled around the ice of the MCI center with the Stanley Cup on his lap.

It's my sincere hope that on May 1, the commencement speaker spends a moment to recognize Antonio Bass for his accomplishment. Although there may be some in the assembled crowd who will have overcome more trying personal circumstances, his is a great, great story that reflects well on the UM family--and one that shows. . .tremendous. . .character and dedication on Mr. Bass' part.

Plus, Lloyd will be tearing up anyhow, so why not enlist something of a Big, Fat, Greek Chorus to support him?

Baldbill

February 3rd, 2010 at 8:17 AM ^

Yes he used to play QB for Jackson High in Jackson Michigan, he was the only the 2nd player ever out of Jackson that people thought might make it pro, only Tony Dungy did though. I went back to Jackson once just to watch him play, he was good. My dad still asks about him, I think he forgets that I tell him every time that he had a bad injury and is lucky to be walking.