From Demar Dorsey's point of view
You make the biggest decision of your life on national signing day, making the difficult decision to spend the next four years of your life far away from Florida. Excited to be a part of the Michigan family, you might even be watching Coach Rod's press conference, only to see the main focus of the Q/A portion turn into an argument that you don't in fact belong at Michigan. These people you haven't met before are telling your coach that you are a bad person and that they don't want a part of you. You are labeled as a "risk." What was supposed to be a celebration of you joining your future team has turned into a nightmare.
Now the day after, you have to hear every local sports talk station reliving yesterday's nightmare. Drew Sharp is making jokes about you running from the police, suggesting that you are a thug with no choice outside a life of organized crime. State newspapers are criticizing you and your coach, arguing that you don't belong. Everyone is bringing up and scrutinizing your lowest lows. You haven't been interviewed. You haven't been asked about them. In fact, no one close to the situation has. You've only been forced to relive some of the worst times in your life where every detail from an event two years ago has been picked apart and brought under the microscope. Cant wait to get to Ann Arbor in June, eh?
Lets just say the past two days in Demar Dorsey's shoes probably haven't been how he imagined them. Who would expect to have their biggest life decision to date come back as a reminder of when they got caught with the wrong crowd two years ago. This isn't how you treat your team. This isn't supporting your program.
Now, Michigan fans. This kid is now a part of our family. Lets start treating him like it.
*edit: This information is behind a paywall, but I will summarize, Dorsey and his parents know about the media scrutiny going on and are very unhappy.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:59 PM ^
I'm sure if he could change his commitment now he would.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^
No kidding? At Florida, FSU, or USC, the kid would be welcomed by the coaching staff, the media, and the fans with open arms. He would be heralded for the athletic talent he is. Here, he walks into scrutiny. He is vilified for his past.
The sad thing is, if this kid wins, these same people who are making a scene are going to be the ones cheering him on.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
Your last sentence sums things up perfectly. It will happen and I will be appalled. Anyone I know who does so will receive a biblical dong punch.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
You just named 3 schools that, historically, have not done things the right way. Rosters literally full of felons and cheaters, and coaches who are as sleazy as it gets. And their fanbase eats it up.
God forbid Michigan fans actually ask the questions and expect things to be done the right way. I'm not saying I think Dorsey is a bad kid, but I don't think it's unfair to say there are questionable things in his past. Should we dwell on them? No. At the same time, we shouldn't apologize for a kid's transgressions. We should, however, make sure the scrutiny on those transgressions encourages that it never happen again.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
No, Jackass, I named the one school that he was previously committed to and the two other schools he was considering attending.
I don't think that this "scrutiny" is encouraging Dorsey to be a better person. In fact, it rarely works that way. By judging the kid before even getting to know him, you are only reinforcing any insecurities he may currently have, and potentially enabling him to rationalize further crime.
Again, lets get the whole story. I don't think that what the Free Press published this evening is the end of it.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
Completely agree and I think more people need to think about the importance of your point.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
I think most UM fans will stick up for him on principle alone. Dorsey doesn't seem upset about it though from what I can tell from his facebook page. Living in FL he isn't likely to hear most of this garbage being spouted by UM haters
February 4th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
well, if you look at the site's traffic summary, there have been more than a few hits from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:38 PM ^
We do have the internet down here, you know.
All joking aside, the recruits today are probably pretty internet-savvy, and if they want to find out whatever people are saying about them, they will.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:04 PM ^
I'd ask to be released from my loi
February 5th, 2010 at 12:24 AM ^
double post
edit: I'm seriously getting negged for a double post? Harsh, man!
February 4th, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^
If I were in his shoes, one of two things would happen:
1) I'd say "fuck this" and prove the haters wrong, or
2) I'd say "fuck this" and get the hell out of dodge.
Here's to hoping he's of the first persuasion.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
i haven't heard of any Michigan fans saying they don't want him because of any of the things Sharp "brought to light".
I mean, I'd rather have a guy that's had a few minor issues in the past that he was excused for than a guy that's "perfectly okay" and ends up mauling honors students in a university dorm...
February 4th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^
Have you listened to a local sports radio show today? Granted, people who are true Michigan fans will welcome Dorsey to our program. But its these fringe fans, the ones who cry "Fire Rich Rod" who are flooding the lines saying everything from "We don't want Dorsey" to "Today, I'm embarrassed to be a Michigan fan." These people need to fuck off. Chose a new team. But when we win, don't ever come back.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^
Listen, I'm no RR fan, but there's no way I'd say to fire RR over this. There's also no way I'd say "we don't want Dorsey". Beyond that, I can't think of any UofM fan who thinks we shouldn't have Dorsey on the squad due to his past (or that he's cause to fire RR).
If someone's calling in with that nonsense, they're likely just Spartans having a little fun, and exposing a bit of jealousy that they had nothing to pay attention to on signing day.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:11 PM ^
... Very easy to negative recruit. "Got any skeletons in your closet? Don't go to Michigan, you'll get outed."
My POV: Kid's done some stupid things, he'll have to prove he's better than that now. This is true with or without the Free Press.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
I could be wrong, but didn't Florida "out" him once it was apparent that he wasn't going to sign with them?
February 4th, 2010 at 10:46 PM ^
Double post. Please disregard
February 4th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
Only Michigan fans would rationalize the idea of having one of their top recruits and a possible immediate contributor to be released from his LOI purely b/c of what some punk reporter said.
A week from now this won't be a story. A year from now Dorsey will have been a starter and this definitely won't be a story. And in 4 years when he gets drafted into the league, he'll probably buy the Freep just so he can piss on it.
Let's move on.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^
Couldn't have said it any better
February 4th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^
The Free Press will last that long?
February 4th, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
I agree with you.
The thing that set me off was where they casually included a "ski mask" being one of the items found in the trunk. That is a cruel joke by someone.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^
Will almost certainly be gone once he gets on campus. Drew Sharp can say whatever he wants. When he runs out onto the field September 5th, he'll know what the people who matter think of him.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:56 PM ^
I am public school brat form Flint. I was fortunate not to get caught in either high school or college fracturing a few laws with many of my friends from Grand Blanc, Clarkston, West Bloomfield, Gross Pointe, Ida, Toledo, Long ISland, Rockford, Highland Park, San Louis Obisbo, Charleston, Berkley, Lansing, Bay City, Saginaw, Flushing, Shaker Heights, Novi, Plymouth, Northville, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Port Huron, etc.
I was raised properly by my parents and still made some bad decisions, as did all of my friends.
Keep things in perspective. Anyone who hit a joint in college and passed it to a friend committed a 4 YR Delivery of MJ charge, pursuant to the Public Health Code. i would site the specific statute but it might give away my profession.
Discussion of a kids, youthful status HYTA MCL 762.11, or Consent Calendar Probation or other diversionary programs fly directly in the face of any and all diversionary programs and the legislative intent in the creation of the same. Further, discussion of acquittals and dismissals fly directly in the face of the Presumption of Innocence.
That being said, if there is a Winston situation in college............
February 4th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
He was never found guilty. End of story. Dantonio's players, well that's another story...
Fine, saying "end of story" really makes one look like an ass, but I really find the whole thing ridiculous.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
I'm pulling for the kid. He'll have lots of people around helping him. People who care.
Go BLUE!!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^
with a Dorsey jersey on and show him support until he proves me wrong. After all this he deserves it.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:27 PM ^
I love how some "Michigan fans" talk about other universities with their "crony" filled rosters. Weren't those usually the schools dominating college football? And like it or not, didn't most of those "thugs" go on to successful careers in the NFL? I, for one, don't want to back a school that won't give a kid an opportunity before they even know the kid. I'm absolutely appalled that some "fans" say what they do. It's disrespectful and made worse when opinion columnists decide to draw conclusions they have no evidence for, making mountains out of mole hills. I can't wait to see what happens when the football team owns in the next few years.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
Whatever Demar's POV might be (and past), mine is that I'm happy to have him join the team and am excited for his future at UM. Welcome to the team!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
The kid obviously wants to turn over a new leaf. Otherwise he would have went to Michigan State and beat the shit out of frat boys and hockey players...or taken the money and went to USC...not that eiter of those things would ever happen.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
I have done some things in my past (early teens) that I am not proud of. I was caught and did a few more stupid things afterward. I was hanging with the "wrong crowd". I got my shit together, joined the military and became a productive citizen. I have raised a great family and taught my children right from wrong a luxury I didn't have.
I think young Mr. Dorsey has made a great choice coming to play for us. I will support him until HE forces me to do otherwise. We will see exactly how much of a "Michigan" family we have in A2 in the future. I think RR will guide this young man toward the right path.
I have been involved in politics for many years, it is obvious that the FP and others are trying to politically assasinate RR and undermine his job and the Michigan program. It is very sad to see that they would stoop so low as to expose a young mans mistakes in their quest.
I for one would like to welcome young Mr. Dorsey.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Yeah, the local media has been having a field day with this kid. I just hope he has the attitude that he should have: Nut up, make plays on the field and prove them wrong by keeping your nose clean. Simple as that. The true blue fanbase is glad to have you as a part of the Michigan community. Welcome.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
Hey, everyone makes mistakes...especially shithead 16 year olds. Hell, Drew Sharp could write an anthology about me if he cared to.
Welcome to the big stage Demar. It isn't gonna be easy, no way no how. People will try to bring you down from every angle, that's just the fact of it. You are at Michigan now, we are the leaders and the best. We expect the most out of each other and know that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Most importantly, welcome to the family. We stick together through thick and thin. We're excited to have you as part of the family and are looking forward to seeing you grow as a student, athlete and as a man.
Go Blue. Fuck all the haters.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 AM ^
Man, where is Mike Gundy when you need him? Demar Dorsey is a goddamn kid who hasn't even started college for crying out loud. This has gone too far. The Free PreSS is so desperate to trash UM at every chance they get that they're dragging an 18 y.o. amateur athlete, a kid, through the mud. Fuck 'em. I hope they fold and clowns like Sharp and Rosenfuck find themselves out of jobs.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
Just let this roll off your back Demar. It'll make you a better person.