RR pregame talk with boy

Submitted by michWolves2580 on
Prior to the game (about 40 mins before kick off), I noticed Rich Rod walk behind the endzone of the student section side and have a long talk with a family. One of the little boys in the family was in a wheel chair covered by a big blanket and wearing a hat so that only his eyes were showing. I assumed he was from Motts Childrens Hospital. RR was shakng hands, taking pictures, and was talking for quite a while when he should have been getting ready or at least feeling nervous for a huge must win conference game. This observation coupled with the thread about him holding denard back even though he probably could have played have made me realize that wins are great and Im sure theyll come soon but thats not really what matters. Hes doing the right thing and there has been nothing at all to make me switch my belief that he is a great person in addition to an offensive genious. The win made me see progress and Im officially proud that he is the coach of our team. EDIT: I saw people taking pictures of this talk. does anyone have any links or pics?

Route66

November 7th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^

....these types of things will never see the MSM because they are not juicy or negative....and that is wrong.

I think RR should be able to keep his job on one coaching move this year; keeping Tate "All-In".  The best thing RR did was work with Tate to keep him focused because without him we would not have 6 wins.

BlockM

November 7th, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^

We see more of this in the offseason. I remember a couple of articles this past summer about Rodriguez going to the hospital to chat with families and give pictures/autographs. You're right though, it would be nice to see some coverage of it during the football season when it's a lot easier for a coach to justify ignoring that type of situation.

He's been given a position to make a positive difference in a lot of peoples' lives, and it's awesome to see him taking advantage of it.

Aequitas

November 8th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^

I've been thinking about this a lot from both his and Tate's perspective since the first game.  It's easy to say how we feel someone should react from our perspective, but until you're in their shoes...

Great job of putting the team first by both of them.

StraightDave

November 7th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^

I really felt bad for RR during the PSU game.  He as trying everything to motivate the defense.  I loved when he went apeshit on the D trying to pump them up on the sideline.  I was glad he won yesterday.   I hope he got laid last night, he earned it.

brewandbluesaturdays

November 7th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^

I love hearing stories like this that truly show the character of our head coach. For as much garbage RR has taken I think he's a class act. Maybe leaving WV the way he did could be the only questionable act of character I can think of. I truly felt like his tears of sorrow during practicegate were heartfelt and true. What he did with Denard yesterday and obviously a story like this show that he is a great ambassador for this institution and our football program Go get um Rich...

NateVolk

November 7th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^

The only MSM driven misconception that bothers me is that Rich is a bad guy. Not only does he strike me as good guy with heart for people generally, but you appreciate how he doesn't seek out publicity for his good deeds.

A person of lesser consitution in the negative media and pr environment  he has been drowning in would be looking to try and "create" a better reputation.  

I am sure we all remember the detroit news story this summer about him rerouting and meeting with the family of the ailing youngster at Mott, despite being late for football related duties.  That story was initiated by the family of the youngster. Wonderful story.

6tyrone6

November 7th, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^

going to a bowl, they will be better next year I say top 15 and in 2012 top 5 count on it. The defense will be Junior Senior and so will the offense, right now pretty much 2 year players. You could tell he was a good guy from the begining every thing I have seen from him seems genuine, authentic, fun, I would love to have a beer with him, I have supported him from the begining, he took 2 star players at WVU and turned them into top 10 teams (they did better than UM for a 4 year period, he had like one 4 star player while our teams were pretty much ALL 4 star players, when I said that then I got jumped on the board by many naysayers saying "that was in the big east", yeah but he would beat people in the bowl games too. This team will be hot in 2012 and just keep reloading till he wants to move on. I think he will stay for as long as he wants and when he leaves UM on his terms some UM fans will be pissed at him for that (see WVU)

LB

November 7th, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^

this is not a professional football team, or a team that has only been playing for a hundred years. This is Michigan Football, and it encompasses far more than simple wins and losses. Good on ya, RR! I have no doubt our traditions are in good hands. 

Blue Blue Blue

November 7th, 2010 at 10:46 PM ^

right from Day 1 (the Mealer story), RR has shown he is a good man.   think of all the crap this man has been put through during his time in Ann Arbor.

the appeal for any pics of RR with the boy during pregam would be a good thing to circulate.

bluenyc

November 7th, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^

Great story and it's too bad that these stories are not getting more attention.  Whenever I talk to a non-Michigan person, the first thing they say about coach is that he is shady.  I ask them why.  Most will say it's the sanctions or how he left WVU.  After I tell them to look up Brock Mealer and explain some of the sanctions, they start changing their view.  I guess we all just have to continue to do our part.

Edit : blue blue blue, we are thinking along the same lines.

ChiliDog

November 8th, 2010 at 12:44 AM ^

He is a genuine good man. All the good deeds this man takes part in end up in the back of a paper, never on the front page. The media saves the front page for negitivity and dogshit lame journalism. RR will get his moment in the lime light after being drug through mud with this program and he will end up dying by this program; remembered as a legend. I got faith in this guy.

tlh908

November 8th, 2010 at 7:24 AM ^

If RR can put together a top 15 season next year, it will show the depth of his character.  He has fought many battles since coming to Michigan but has never given up in trying to win.  While he has had a lot of detractors, he has kept Michigan going forward.  He is a man that stays motivated to win and keeps doing the right thing.  

True Blue in CO

November 8th, 2010 at 8:08 AM ^

Saw coach after game as my son was getting his autograph. Coach was relaxed patient with everyone and was enjoying the moment. This week was a long month for all of us and he was a leader throughout.

bronxblue

November 8th, 2010 at 8:45 AM ^

Guy is a class act, and no amount of trash talking by lazy journalists will change that.  He's been very involved in local charities and has always taken the time to meet with individuals at UM hospital and the like.  And let's not forget - he kept Denard out of the game when he showed signs of a concussion, even though losing that game would have severely hurt his future job status.  

Croatian_Blue

November 8th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^

I remember seeing RichRod in the elevator of the hotel the morning before the OSU game.  Despite all the crap going on that day/season, the man still took the time to say hi, ask how I was doing, and have a short conversation on the elevator.  

Class act even under pressure.  I've always loved Rich Rod and after Saturday, I know DB will make the right decision

Aequitas

November 8th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^

I, too, have been more than a little disappointed that wins and losses have translated to character assassination by our local media, in particular.  I've lost respect for all of the local airbags; even the afternoon TKA slot has devolved into nothing but Rodriguez bashing and wishes for yesteryear.

If Michigan had lost this game, Rich's chances of returning as coach would have slipped considerably.  He had to know that, and yet he chose Denard's future over his own.  I wasn't surprised, just as I'm not surprised that he plays the guys who work the hardest.  Regardless of what Brian thinks, that's how you build a program that lasts.

65 points by an opponent in Ann Arbor stings right now, but it is nothing compared to the records this program is going to set before Rodriguez retires from here.