Carl Grapentine missing the National Championship Game due to COVID

Submitted by Reno Drew on January 9th, 2024 at 1:16 PM

Just saw on Facebook that Carl Grapentine, the voice of the MMB and Michigan football, was stuck in his room yesterday  at the Hilton in Houston due to testing positive for COVID.

I got to meet Mr. Grapentine at the MMB rehearsal at USC before the Rose Bowl and got a photo with him.  As expected, he's just an incredibly gracious and nice person in real life. I tried to play it cool, but once I heard his voice in real life, I have to admit I froze up with fanboy-dom.  A lot of emotions bubbled up because I had a bit of a flash back to hearing his voice as a kid at Michigan Stadium and my dad (recently deceased) explaining to me some of the great traditions at Michigan Stadium ("You can't have one without the other") 

Hope you get well soon Mr. Grapentine and thank you for all of your years as the voice of the MMB and Michigan Football

Football

tybert

January 9th, 2024 at 1:26 PM ^

I was a FR in MMB in fall 1981. He was the announcer for our pregame and HT show. We had another announcer for the actual game action who retired about 20 years ago and Carl got the full time role.

Definitely a nice guy!

Joined: 11/17/2008

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Blue Vet

January 9th, 2024 at 1:30 PM ^

Oh no! All these years as the voice of MMB, and then of Michigan football, and he has to miss this magic moment.

I'm a semi-sorta pal of Carl's, so Hi Carl. Get well.

Joined: 05/08/2012

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Vote_Crisler_1937

January 9th, 2024 at 1:55 PM ^

As soon as I arrived to my seat I asked about him and was disappointed when I didn’t hear him. Thank you For the update. 
 

quick recovery Carl! 
 

Also, pretty sure he posts here. Carl, did you follow the live thread?

Joined: 11/07/2011

MGoPoints: 15506

WolverineHistorian

January 9th, 2024 at 2:19 PM ^

Poor Carl has had a ton of bad luck lately.

Last year in Columbus, he announced the band with no issues.  Once the game was done, he left the press box to go down and celebrate with Michigan fans.  But he tripped walking on to the elevator, fell forward and broke two toes.

Back in November, the day before the B1G championship, he tripped again, took a hard fall and broke 4 ribs.  He had to spend four days in the hospital in Indianapolis and couldn’t announce the band at the game.

And now he gets covid and couldn’t announce this massive game?

Whatever dark cloud is hovering over him needs to go away. 

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

jmblue

January 9th, 2024 at 2:50 PM ^

Wow, what a shame. To go to Houston and then have that happen is brutal.

He is truly the voice of Michigan football (not to mention the MMB) - get well soon!

Joined: 11/07/2008

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Team 101

January 9th, 2024 at 4:16 PM ^

Although I have met him he reminds me of Ernie Harwell in that he a voice that is distinguished in itself and seems strange when I hear it at the same time I see him talking.

Although I understand the reasons it still upsets me that he no longer is allowed to introduce the band with the phrase "Ladies and Gentlemen" because no one says it like he does.  "Michigan Fans Everywhere" doesn't cut it.  Fortunately the old recordings have not been banned.

Get Well Soon

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