This is how you win Championships

Submitted by Blazefire on

Justin Turner transfered out from the program. He was not kicked out. Not asked to transfer. Not belittled or treated as an outcast. He was tested, he was pushed, and in the end, he decided, himself, that it was more than he wanted. This is his choice, and I wish him well. But it is not a bad thing.

Take heart, my friends, for it is on the days that men realize their limits that a group realizes its growth. It is on the days that the deserters abandon the army that the unit can finally believe in itself. We did not just get weaker. We got stronger. And it is a very, very good thing that we did so.

Those that stay will be champions. Those that fight will see victory. Those that press on are a valuable commodity in a way that those who don't can never be. To be a champion means to be a team of greatest value. Bo knew this. You push your players, you ask more of them than they think they can possibly give. Should they find their limits, then their value has not increased. They don't have to abandon the team. They can remain, and they can help out. But to be a champion means to be of greatest value. Greatest value is an indefinite term that continues to grow constantly. A champion never finds his limit, because he knows he can always have a value greater than he currently does.

We are not weaker, we are stronger. We are not closer to failure, but closer to success. This is not lying to ourselves. This is the truth. Other teams want to be champions. We must have more value than they. And with those that stay, we will.

The team has done nothing wrong today. The coach has done nothing wrong. Justin Turner has done nothing wrong today. Practice continues, and our value grows. And as always, and forever, it's great, to be, a Michigan Wolverine.

MGoBoard
Football
transfers
Justin Turner
Heartache
Championships

M-stache

August 11th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^

I have to admit, Blaze's North Korean News Agency propaganda made me feel a little better.

This does seem to be a situation where this just wasn't a fit for him, for whatever reason he had. It's a blow to the program, but not fatal. Disappointing, yes? Devastating? No.

Oh, and sugar-free Kool-Aid for me please. I'm trying to reach middle age.

Joined: 01/16/2009

MGoPoints: 357

Hail-Storm

August 11th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^

RR a lot for the fact that he has never not allowed a kid to transfer, has never limited a kids choice in where he can transfer, and has never spoken poorly (or at all) of kids who have left the program.  He signs their transfer, moves on, and rightly states, he only talks about the Men that play for Michigan.

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9749

blueheron

August 11th, 2010 at 2:25 PM ^

I don't really know what happened there, but if you believe a certain set of rumors, RichRod took a stand against a belligerent element of the Les Miles Fan Club (i.e., Mike Boren) and served notice that it was his program and not one that would cater to the whims of certain alums.  That's worth something, right?  (Aside: That Zach Boren has acquitted himself well at OSU is beside the main point.)

I can certainly see Boren's on-field value.  As well, I realize that suspension of disbelief may be required when you read the opening paragraph here.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30566

MGoMarc

August 11th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^

I love the sentiment, but I still can't help to think how we would be even closer to championships if Donovan Warrnen, Boubacar Cissoko, Demar Dorsey and Justin Turner were all on the roster and living up to their hype.

Joined: 03/10/2009

MGoPoints: 466

Blue in Seattle

August 11th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^

"and living up to their hype".  I suppose in the ideal world they would just rank all the teams on paper by the stars of their recruits and declare the winner with mathematical certainty.

The problem is, the world is not ideal, it is messy,

that's why the phrase, "And that's why they play the game" encapsulates why it is so awesome to watch this game called football.

And really the main point of of this post was to point out a team must become greater than the sum of it's parts to become champions.

It's not sentiment, it is reality.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 1716

maizedandconfused

August 11th, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^

Hope
You
Prove
Everyone right

followed of course by

But
Understandably
Speaking =/=
Trophies

 

Not saying that these guys wouldnt be welcome additions (cissoko aside)

a note: not trying to comment on any off field comparisons just onfield play. Hype is a great thing and im all for being excited, but until a recruit comes in and shows that he has the work ethic to develop the physical tools he was gifted with to exceed at this level, hype is only breaths in the breeze.

 

Joined: 01/14/2010

MGoPoints: 4523

Michigan Shirt

August 11th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^

I believe that when Bo gave his stated "Those who stay will be champions" we went on to beat one of the best OSU teams ever. They said that the best game all year would be the OSU scarlet vs gray practice game, they were that good; Michigan went on to beat OSU an OSU team that brought in a 22 game winning streak and defending AP National Championship. If this season goes anything like Bo's 1968 team, we will be a happy group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_Michigan_vs._Ohio_State_football_game

Joined: 02/05/2010

MGoPoints: 2097

SysMark

August 11th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^

Could not agree more.  Maybe in another another year, on another team, in another place the player isn't pushed as hard, coasts though camp a little, then finds himself in a big situation in a big game, and gives up a big play.  All the natural ability and recruiting stars mean nothing at that point...we have seen it.  I would rather have someone of marginally less hype/stature who is fully committed and giving 100% all the time.

I hold nothing against Justin Turner - on one level I appreciate his honesty, and the integrity of this coaching staff.

Joined: 11/15/2008

MGoPoints: 21584

AMazinBlue

August 11th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^

I read as I drank my koolaid and I am better for it.  I too feelbetter about this day.

As I continue to push my 45-year old body to run further each day, I tell myself basically the same thing.  If we don't push ourselves beyond our known limits we can never grow and succeed.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 7197