Bennie Joppru's Lloyd Carr Story

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on

In honor of Lloyd Carr's 70th birthday, Bennie Joppru just posted this very cool story on Facebook. (Sorry for the lack of proper embed.)

Happy birthday to Coach Carr, one of the greatest men I've ever known. Many of my teammates know this story but I would like to share this one with you. It's long but worth it.

It was the second day of freshmen two a days, morning practice, yes we had actually had two practices a day back then. I was the only tight end practicing at the time. It was miserable. Coach Mike DeBord had me pushing the one man sled around the field for god knows how long, it was probably 10 minutes but felt like two hours. Exhausted we started to scrimmage, offense vs defense. After about 10 plays I started to throw up. I felt so relieved, "finally I'm done, I get a break" WRONG!! "Joppru get back in there.

Another couple plays, more throwing up. Rinse and repeat a couple more times and practice was over. I was terrified and convinced that this was they way that my life would be everyday for the next five years. Somehow I had to escape.

I went back to the dorms in south quad and started to pack my clothes. "I'm heading back home to Minnesota and I'll walk on and be a Gopher". I knew I couldn't walk out the front on the dorm with my clothes so I threw my bag out the 12 floor window and walk down the stairwell, avoiding the elevator. I got the first taxi I saw and said "take me to the bus station". 


I got to the bus station only to find out I was 25 dollars short of a ticket. This was 1998 so CD's were as good as money then and I had plenty. I told the ticket guy if he gave me the 25 dollars I needed for a ticket he could have any 10 CD's he wanted.

Of course he picked all of my favorite CD's, but I had my ticket, no more puking I thought to myself. I called my parents from the pay phone with my calling card they had gifted me, 1998, amazing. My parents took turns talking to me for the next 30 minutes . I was insistent that I come home, this wasn't for me, it's too hard.

While on the phone I got a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and it was Coach Carr. "Let's go, you're coming with me". Tears immediately ran down my face. Not much was said in the car ride to the football facility. Coach Carr brought me into his office and to paraphrase said, "I know it may seem like the end of the world to you but it's not, all I ask is that you give me one year. After one year if you still want to go home I won't try to stop you. "

I agreed to give it a year and then he said "so you can either stay here on the couch or come out for the second practice" "thanks coach, I'll stay on the couch" Thanks to a great man who wouldn't let me quit when every ounce my 18 year old brain told me otherwise. So many memories that I would never have had and so many wonderful friendships I would have never formed . Happy birthday Coach Carr, # go blue

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BrotherMouzone

July 30th, 2015 at 10:20 PM ^

If only he wouldn't have had season ending injuries his first 3 years in the NFL. He was a beast his senior year!



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DreisbachToHayes

July 30th, 2015 at 11:19 PM ^

Perhaps I'm just viewing history through rose-colored glasses...but it seems like nobody ever had anything bad to say about Lloyd Carr the man. Think about any coaches today that are above average to great in terms of wins/losses. They are either sleeze balls, run shady programs, over-sign, let boosters run wild, get into media sparring matches, have players (current or former) take shots at them, or are "manic" and "aloof". I was a freshman in 2000, and was walking out of South Quad at dinner time. I opened the door, and without paying attention, I held it open for the person behind me. I heard the uniquely Lloyd Carr voice say "thank you young man". I turned and it was him...presumably just leaving the training table. I kick myself to this day that I couldn't even get one word out of my mouth. He then said "have a nice evening". It literally made my semester.

Joined: 12/04/2012

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Evil Empire

July 31st, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^

He spoke at an alumni event in Cleveland, answered the question about recruiting that I asked during the Q&A session, and we chatted for a few minutes at the end of the evening.  He was very charming.  I found his coaching frustrating at times but there are innumerable good guy stories about him.  It's a pity that his public persona was so often grouchy.  I feel the same way about Bob Dole, who was so get off my lawn during his presidential campaign that it was quite a shock to see how funny he could be in interviews and on talk shows afterwards.

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ThadMattasagoblin

July 30th, 2015 at 11:56 PM ^

It makes Debord seem like an ass but you've got to be ready for the games with uptempo offenses and staying on the field. You've got to build an endurance rather than babying them or you're not going to play well when you're tired in the 4th quarter.

Joined: 08/24/2011

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WolverineHistorian

July 31st, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^

Shades of Bo chasing down Anthony Carter to the bus station. I always liked Joppru. He was a solid tight end and I rarely ever remember him dropping a pass. I wish he was thrown to more often but Marquise, Braylon and Ron Bellomy were doing good things of their own.

Joined: 08/10/2009

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WineAndSpirits

July 31st, 2015 at 12:43 AM ^

I'm sure that Lloyd was a good guy. I just have a had time accepting that he was a great man.

For someone who was willing to platoon the university, I find it hard to believe he put the team before his own self interests.

Go enjoy your story about a man who a times lived up to the expectations of a leader of men.

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