grumbler

July 22nd, 2013 at 1:22 PM ^

He's the "keeper of the flame" when it comes to Michigan football traditions and continuity.  He's also probably the most well-respected man in his profession.  It will be possible to replace what he does as far as job description goes, but he cannot be replaced in all the ways that really count.

He's also the last active link to the Bo Schembechler teams.

Sad to see him go, but glad he can do it while he has lots of time to enjoy retirement.

mGrowOld

July 22nd, 2013 at 1:33 PM ^

That's ok....I'm pretty sure he's never heard of you either.

But just about everyone else on the board knows who he is.  And after your comment I'm sure many people will remember you too from now on.

M-Wolverine

July 22nd, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^

What was the point of a one line post "I've never heard of this guy."?  Sounds just like a dismissal, with no point of conversation. If you had something to add to it "like I'm not aware of this guy...could someone enlighten me why this is a big deal?" that opens up discussion. Not sure what your reamark added.

readyourguard

July 22nd, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^

I may have had a hand in this. At a recent event, I sat and ate dinner with Big Johnny and inquired as the when he was going "quit this GD shit and take an F'n break?" (You have to speak like Johnny if you want to converse with Johnny).



His answer "Awwww F**K ________, I don't know. What the F am I gonna do if I don't do this?"



"I don't know........F your wife more often?"



"HEY! That's a GD great idea"



Anyway, maybe I hit a raw nerve. I don't know.

Mr. Brownstone

July 22nd, 2013 at 10:35 PM ^

And to people that do know him they understand that it's not an exaggeration at all.



I remember the first time I met Big John. After deciphering all the F words I had no clue what he said. Ha!

LSAClassOf2000

July 22nd, 2013 at 2:22 PM ^

Among the numerous quotes regarding Jon Falk on the MGoBlue site, I really did think that Jim Brandstatter provided one of the most succinct ones:

"Through five football coaches and seven athletic directors, Jon has been as solid as a rock through all the change. He's been in the engine room of Michigan football and he's kept it running without a hitch since the day he arrived."

Those will be some big shoes to fill, and a unique perspective on the last few decades of Michigan football walking out the door. 

victorsvaliant01

July 22nd, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^

I was one of Big Jonny's "young boys" (student equipment managers) from 2003-2005, and it was the best experience of my life, bar none. So much so, that even now at age 30, I still literally dream that I'm a part of the program: being around the guys all the time, singing The Victors in the locker room after a win, having the best seat in the house in Michigan Stadium on the sideline, polishing those beautiful helmets at 7am on game days, traveling to away games, my knees shaking so much the first time that I ran out of the tunnel and onto that perfect field that I could barely jump up high enough to touch the banner, and of course, a ton of free sweet Nike Michigan swag. (Adidas' crap blows in comparison, trust me.)



He is certainly like no other man I've ever met, or could hope so--and if you guys only truly had any idea what those walls would repeat if they could talk...holy hell, the profanity!



I could fill an entire page with the memories of my experiences "working" for Big Jon, but one just always stands out.



One evening during the week leading up to my first game ever running out of that tunnel, my Junior year against Central Michigan in 2003, I found myself alone with Jon in the newly revamped locker room at Michigan Stadium, working late after the others had gone. To alleviate the awkward silence between me and my intimidating new boss, I offered a "Big game on Saturday, eh Jon?" (This seemed a trivial offering, at best, at the time when I thought about how many games he'd presided over--against much better opponents, with much more on the line!)



But, his response, in his typical ubiquitous fashion, was, "Tony, they're ALL big!"



And to him, they truly were.



Lloyd's quoting of Jon about "one's best championship ring being his NEXT championship ring," couldn't be more of a microcosm of him, either--and even Tom Brady cited that quote of Jon's in his press conference after he won his third (!) Super Bowl in four years! I seriously think that Big Jonny showed that video 200 times that day.



And you know what? He was right--I have two Big Ten Championship rings in my drawer from the two seasons that I was lucky enough to be a part of our program, and "GODDAMNIT!!" do I still want another one!



Thanks, Big Jonny...and Go Blue ALWAYS!