Reon Dawson an Ohio fan
Reon Dawson a “Michigan Man?” Say what?“I never did see that,” said the Trotwood-Madison High School senior cornerback who “flipped” from a verbal commitment to Illinois to eventually sign with Michigan on Wednesday.
“Until I die, I’m gonna be a Buckeye fan even though I’m going (to Michigan). When we play (OSU) I’m gonna still bring my ‘A’ game. But, I love Ohio State.”
Source: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/high-school/for-this-osu-fan…
I hope it's not true. If it is... um, this is awkward.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
whoa, you talking all type of crazy
February 7th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
To paraphrase Lee Marvin in The Dirty Dozen, Yeah, but the Buckeyes haven't done anything to him yet.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
He's really quite emotional
February 7th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
It's not like he'll whiff tackles in November because he's a fan. He'll probably play his hardest against a team he grew up rooting for.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
hate to have Taylor Lewan see this...wait not really. Love that he chose Michigan but I think he is going to learn to love Michigan rather quickly both in good and bad ways.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:19 PM ^
He'll assimilate or if he doesn't he'll transfer, just a dumb comment from from a 17 year old that just doesn't quite understand the magnitude of the rivalry.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:20 PM ^
Understandable. I'm originally an Ohioan, and still cheer for the indians. But I bet you by the end of his freshman year he'll be singing a very different tune.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
Give it a little bit.
I had a couple friends who were hardcore Buckeyes when they came here (wearing Ohio jersey's around to classes and such), but both of them within 1 year, went from loving them, to absolutely detesting them (usually significantly more than the normal Michigan fan).
In time he will learn, and then he will let the hate flow through him.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
Give it time. Not worried at all. Michigan gets into your blood. When it does, you never go back.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
1) Winning takes care of everything. I can only imagine the kind of "dogs-and-cats-living-together" fanstorm that would have occurred had he been a signee three years ago...
2) He is basically an OSU reject (no offer, no interest) with UM as his best offer, but that DID work out pretty well for the basketball program, and Trey.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
While we're talking about loyalties, my family has been Notre Dame fans as long as I can remember, so I grew up a huge Domer too.
Then I decided to go to Michigan, after all, the engineering school is better and it is half the cost, but I could still be a Notre Dame fan, right?
No. The answer is no. I hate Notre Dame and I became a genuine Wolverine after the first football game, even though it was the 27-25 Utah loss. It was rough being a freshman for our 3-9 season, but my loyalties to Notre Dame were excised way faster than I thought possible.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:47 PM ^
If he can't get it through his head he doesn't belong. You come to Michigan all your other fan allegiance DIES. You're no longer an Irish, Sparty or Buckeye fan you're a Wolverine and if you can't leave that behind then you don't belong. Team you play for is your team. Doesn't matter how much you like them you leave that shit behind. I'm sure he'll convert in no time.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
This is not how things are done in The Family.
February 7th, 2013 at 12:57 PM ^
Coach Hoke should make him wear a buckeye helmet every day in practice. That should change his mind real quick..
February 7th, 2013 at 1:01 PM ^
I had a high school friend at Michigan whose roommate was a diehard Buckeye. Went to Columbus for games all the time, had a big picture of Tressel and the team on the wall of his dorm room, the whole nine yards. And his whole rationale was that Michigan was a better school, but he was still a Buckeye.
I don't get how anyone could ever do that. Like... It's disgusting.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
It's like if someone who was born and raised in Boston by transplanted New Yorkers cheering for the Yankees. The attachment made in a person's younger years stay with them for a long time.
I, myself, have been called a traitor by fellow EMU alums for stating that I could never cheer for EMU to beat Michigan. What they don't understand is that Michigan football is much more to me than a team on field of a play, it is a shared experience and passion with my Dad. That connection is why I love Michigan football so much. It's the personal connections that make these games of boys so meaningful. You just don't lose that connection when you go elsewhere for college.
I understand completely what Reon is saying. As a Michigan fan I don't like it, but so long as he busts his ass while he Is here I won't mind it. Anyways, I have a feeling that he won't be so staunch of a Buckeye after a Buckeye plasters him. With experience comes "hate".
February 7th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^
I have a hard time letting my son's one Buckeye fan friend into my house. I can't imagine how Hoke feels after reading this.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^
Sleeping with the enemy?
February 7th, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard..I hope he and coach Wellman have a come to Jesus meeting...im in shock
February 7th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
I know everyone aspires to be reasonable on this board, but I have to agree with you.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^
He need to sit the bench until he transfer for that bull, that means your not all in for Michigan
February 7th, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
He is a OSU spy
February 7th, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
Being on a navy ship with Ohio State fans put me over the edge.That 2003 National Title was all the Ohioans talked about.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
Ohio is not exactly the Elysian Fields.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
Maybe talk about Scioto Downs.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
On the bright side, at least now I have a least favorite recruit in this class. Hopefully he gets so much abuse in summer practice that he either learns to hate the Buckeyes or crawls to Bowling Green so he can play closer to his Buckeyes.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
As long as he can score touchdowns an win titles I don't care about his fandom for Ohio. Like other said though - this will all change when he gets a taste of what it is like to be a Wolverine.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
look at Chris Spielman, guy loved Michigan and wantted to go to Michigan... but because of his father he goes to Ohio, I'm not saying Reon is as good as Speilman, but sure would be nice and a kick in the pants of Ohio if this kid turns out to be stud and burns then while in AA
February 7th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
Only from personal experience: grew up in wlaffayette, attended iu, have loved for both schools. Played football at ball state against Michigan, its not like I didn't try my heart out. clarification: would have tried my heart out had I been good enough to play.
February 7th, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^
He will be "educated" as soon as he sets foot on campus.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^
MGoAlexander Was Here
February 7th, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^
and here.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^
and here too!
February 7th, 2013 at 2:18 PM ^
kick him off the team
February 7th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
You'd be surprised how many Michigan players are OSU fans, and vice versa just due to growing up in a certain area or who their family likes.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^
Sucks to know that if at any time, Urban decides to take Dawson, that he'd likely transfer, ala Boren.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:53 PM ^
Rich rod isn't at michigan anymore , so that's doubtful
February 7th, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^
Give me a Facepalm Guy gif. please. It's been way too long.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:10 PM ^
I'm sure that will change. He'll be at Michigan for a while, plenty of time to change his mind on that subject. I'll bet offensive gameplan isn't the only thing the coaches will teach him about OSU.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:20 PM ^
All high school kids have numerous favorite college and pro football teams. They are not over the top fans (fanatics) like we are. Move on.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
I know kids who grew up die hard M fans, went to MSU and now call us scUM more than anyone else does, and this is without actually playing any sports. Give it time he will be a Michigan fan
February 7th, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^
I don't like this. I'm sorry. It makes it seem like "I guess I'll go to michigan but I really wanted an offer from osu". It makes us look second rate
February 7th, 2013 at 4:16 PM ^
This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever hear from a Michigan recruit ever. Can you image the Ohio fan reaction if an Ohio recruit said he loved Michigan??
February 7th, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
You all do realize that Derrick Green is/was a OSU fan and more importantly a HUGE fan of Eddie George right?
February 7th, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^
i dont care if someone was an OSU fan, what i dont like is a recruit saying "I will always be a OSU fan" "I love OSU"
February 7th, 2013 at 5:36 PM ^
Why didnt he go there then?
February 7th, 2013 at 5:15 PM ^
Would have DESTROYED this kid. I'm not sure how the current staff "acts" about this kind of thing, but Gittleson would pound you into oblivion for simply wearing a red or green shirt in the building.
February 7th, 2013 at 5:40 PM ^
I bet most D1 players grew up cheering for a different team than they are currently on.
February 7th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
..said on twitter that Reon actually said he, "loved the state of Ohio, not Ohio State." And that, "a reporter twisted his words."