Its deja vu all over again: Hoke/Morris incident 2nd story on ABC World News Tonight AGAIN

Submitted by snackyx on

Second straight night this makes the national news...the number #2 story behind White House intruder.

Not good.

Wolverine Devotee

September 29th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^

Brad Bates (1980 team photo)

Warde Manuel (1989 team photo)

 

Warde Manuel was a freshman when Jim Harbaugh was a 5th year senior. 

BlueBarron

September 29th, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^

StretchGate. Didn't make as big of a headline but it sure as hell was way overblown.

I'm not sure that you could quite classify this as something that could be too overblown given the nature of what happened.

But that's just like, my opinion, man

go16blue

September 29th, 2014 at 7:12 PM ^

One play where he handed the ball off. I'm with you. There are a lot of different possible narratives for this story and the only reason this one has taken hold is because we are losing a lot of games. The only reason it is a national story is that people are pissed enough about us losing games that it will sell nationally.

Morris should have come out of the game earlier, obviously. Coaches made a mistake, obviously. It's probably worth a couple of mgoblog threads and hand wringing. Nothing more. I mean, I remember when ND played Clausen (I think) after he had a cuncussion and could only see out of one eye at halftime - that didn't even make it this big, and that was worse on pretty much every level.

Space Coyote

September 29th, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^

The coverage of this story is appropriate...

...

...

If Shane Morris was knocked unconscious for dozens of seconds out on the field before getting back to his feet, at which point Hoke refused to allow the medical staff to see Morris and told Morris to "rub some dirt on it and finish the rest of the game if you know what's good for you".

Instead, Morris took a hard hit that Hoke and Nuss didn't see. People assume that caused a concussion but don't have much proof besides "looks" from a far away vantage point without medical evidence, Morris played one more play before being pulled from the game and checked out by the medical staff.

To me, that should equate to some questions for the staff, maybe a some mild amounts of being upset because Morris was allowed back in the game, and then we can go on continuing our doom and gloom because the football team doesn't appear good.

Mittelstadt

September 29th, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^

very serious issue for kids in youth sports everywhere.  I'm sure you know that.

1.  They make it clear in virtually every training I've seen that once the brain is concussed a second blow, even if less violent in nature or different, could be fatal.  

I don't know how that can be overblown.  

2.  The other part of this is the unbelievable story that Hoke is telling.  There is no way he could have missed the violent hit - either live or on the big screen.  It's simply not believable.

3.  And it's a media ready story.  The video is as clean as the Clowney hit on Vincent Smith. We're going to see the video over and over and over again. 

4.  And for this to happen at a University with such high standards and a prestigious medical school it's downright disgusting and sadly news worthy. 

5.  And the coach is under fire.  

6.  And the AD is under fire.

7.  I'm sure I've forgotten a few others.....

 

LordGrantham

September 29th, 2014 at 8:22 PM ^

 

Once the brain is concussed a second blow, even if less violent in nature or different, could be fatal.

There are, what, 20 recorded cases of Second Impact Syndrome in history?  It's very, very rare. But yes, concussions are dangerous. That's why Michigan should have had somebody alerting Hoke to the fact that Morris just got nailed in the head, and that's why I called it a stupid mistake.

But you have to account for the unusual (and unfortunate) situation here. It's not often that a player suffers an injury on one play, and then immediately suffers a different injury that presents identical symptoms. When Shane was hobbling, there was simply no way to discern whether it was caused by something other than his leg, and unless Hoke saw the play, it's not unreasonable to assume it was an aggravation of the leg injury.

There is no way he could have missed the violent hit - either live or on the big screen. It's simply not believable.

Why not? The big screen didn't replay the hit, and isn't it possible that of the 22 players on the field, Hoke was looking at one not named Shane Morris?  

And it's a media ready story.

That's a Bingo #1!

And for this to happen at a University with such high standards and a prestigious medical school it's downright disgusting.

I don't know what our prestigious medical school or academic standards have to do with this.

And the coach is under fire.

That's a Bingo #2!

And the AD is under fire.

That's a Bingo #3!

Sorry about all the blockquoting.  I just learned how to do it and I'm EXCITED.

blusage

September 29th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^

If he falls down dead or goes blind tomorrow, it is. This was more than a "stupid mistiake." It was a bad decision that could have severe consequences for Morris. And Hoke's "I didn't know" defense is unacceptable. "Then put on the goddamed headsets so you're more aware of what's going on!" Good communication is fundamental to running ANY organization, but I guess Hoke knows better. If he refuses to stay connected with the other coaches via headset, than he only has himself to blame. Meanwhile, who knows what sort of damage Morris might have suffered.

If you believe Michigan is special and the "leaders and best," then you have to be able to face up to the added scrutiny that comes with that label. Can't have it both ways.

Bobby Boucher

September 29th, 2014 at 7:17 PM ^

The media is very good at backing people into a wall.  Although I don't think this qualifies as evening news, it's hard to imagine a positive outcome for Hoke at this point even if the team wins out the remainder of the season.

Cold War

September 29th, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^

The report said they talked to Shane's parents and they said Shane is fine. That's it?

I'd like to know what other questions they asked and how they were answered. I suspect Shane's parents were asked about Hoke and vouched for him, but that was left out because it didn't fit their story.

Ryno2317

September 29th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^

This is yet another example of how agenda driven the media is.  They have run one story after the other regarding how evil football and those associated with it are (i.e., Rice, Peterson, the Redskins, etc.)  Now, they are on to this story and -- unlike the others -- the University is the most likely to bend to this pressure.  The media will likely get their pound of flesh and will not let up until they do.  This is a political issue for them.  In other words, this will do Hoke in.  As unfairly as it is, this will be the straw . . . . .

Gob1ue22

September 29th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^

I wonder how big this story would be if Michigan was 5-0 right now.  

Seriously, though ....Let's get real - People are mad about Hoke's coaching record, not this. I know, it still wasn't a good coaching move, but seriously it was a minor mistake. Not like he made him finish the game. He put him out there for 1 handoff play and took him back out. 

 

I GET IT - He's made too many mistakes as a head coach - but national news on this AGAIN is so overblown. 

Ryno2317

September 29th, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^

This is absurd.  The list of things NBC refuses to cover in order to protect the current administration is a long one yet they have time to cover this.  Buckle up . . . Hoke is now the poster child for all that is wrong with football.  Plus, he is inacapble of defending himself, so the media will not stop until he is gone. 

JamieH

September 29th, 2014 at 7:36 PM ^

This seems like a story that should be on Detroit local news, not the national news.  It's a  big deal in AA, but nationally?  I mean I understand concussions are a big deal right now, but it isn't like Morris ended up in the hospital.  THEN I could see it being a big national story. 

 

And I actually think Hoke should probably be fired for his incompetence, with this being the last straw.  But national news 2 nights in a row?  C'mon.

Ryno2317

September 29th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^

I guess this might play out as follows:  (1) the media will continue to focus on this for the next week or until they find another story about the evils of football to feast upon; (2) Brandon will appoint a special committee to investigate the handling of Morris with a report due out at the end of the year or so; (3) Brandon will recommend firing Hoke for his role in the mistakes that were made regarding player saftey; and (4) the media is so stupid they applaud Brandon for taking a tough stand against head injuries.  Brandon keeps his job, gets his new coach and Hoke is exiled to whatever MAC school will have him.  Not fair for Hoke to go over this.  Sorry, its just not.  He should go, just not because of this.

Ryno2317

September 29th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^

I guess this might play out as follows:  (1) the media will continue to focus on this for the next week or until they find another story about the evils of football to feast upon; (2) Brandon will appoint a special committee to investigate the handling of Morris with a report due out at the end of the year or so; (3) Brandon will recommend firing Hoke for his role in the mistakes that were made regarding player saftey; and (4) the media is so stupid they applaud Brandon for taking a tough stand against head injuries.  Brandon keeps his job, gets his new coach and Hoke is exiled to whatever MAC school will have him.  Not fair for Hoke to go over this.  Sorry, its just not.  He should go, just not because of this.