Story time with Drake Johnson/ Cool Citrus Bowl Interactions

Submitted by SBo on

I created my account just so I could post this. At the kickoff luncheon for the Citrus Bowl, the players are seated among the fans. Luckily for me and my table, Drake was our player. He told us a very interesting story about him meeting Harbaugh: Harbaugh texted all of the players on Jan 1 and said that he wanted to come meet them if they were in AA. Johnson was, so he texted Harbaugh back with his address.

Unbeknownst to Drake, this would be much more than a meet and greet. So Harbaugh gets to drakes house and congratulates him for the game against OSU. Harbaugh then mentions the injury and asks Drake if he's been taking any pain medication. Drake says "not recently, I tossed them". Harbaugh asks why, and Drake explains that they were making him sick.

Harbaugh proceeds to ask Drake if he has a girlfriend and how long they've been together. Drake says yes, and that they've been dating five years. Harbaugh- "consistency. I like that". Harbaugh then asks again why Drake "tossed out" his meds, and what specifically he did with them. Drake reiterates his sickness and says that he "flushed them down the toilet". Harbaugh asks "Did you toss them out or flush them down the toilet?". Drake says that he tossed them out.

Harbaugh then asks Drake if his girlfriend is home, and she is, she's downstairs. Harbaugh says, very enthusiastically, "well let's go meet her!". At this point Drake knows that Harbaugh is going to drill her on the disposal of the meds, and sure enough, his first question to her is "is drake taking pain medication?". She says no. "What did he do with them?". "He tossed them out". Harbaugh turns to Drake and says "Man of your word. I like that" ----- Pure Harbaugh.

This thread should also be used to talk about any interactions you had with anyone of note.
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A Fan In Fargo

January 3rd, 2016 at 2:19 AM ^

The look on his face was classic. Great story by the way. Jim is a character for sure. Liked after the game how he said how happy everyone was to be a part of the team. What a reward for the hard work and stuff they have been through in the past. Only going to get better for them boys.

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Olaf

January 3rd, 2016 at 12:56 AM ^

That's cool he stopped by Drake's place. Did he do that with all the players? I guess I assumed everyone headed in to team meeting room at Schembechler.



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MichiganStudent

January 3rd, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

This is going to sound odd but Harbaugh is giving me moments from my childhood back. What he has done with this team reminds me of watching Michigan football with my dad and brothers on Saturdays and then running outside and recreating plays we just saw in a game of pickup. He's brought back that special feeling for me.

Go Blue!



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Mr. Yost

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:38 AM ^

Harbaugh repeatedly called Johnson one of his favorite players early in the season. I remember because I thought it was weird that a parent or a coach would openly say favorite. Until I realized that's just Harbaugh's way of giving a compliment and saying "you're doing things the right way" or "he's got a good head on his shoulders" or "he's a leader in my eyes."

Not sure if this story has anything to do with it...but they definitely have had a close relationship from the jump. Very cool.

Seeing the guys love Harbaugh has been awesome. He's become more than just a quirky, ultra competitive, incredibly talented man who they listen to and respect. He's become a friend, a father, to many of the guys.

The trust and direction of the program right now is unreal. To see Jake Rudock cry when he's told his name is in the Michigan record books as the 2nd passer to break 3,000 was such a touching moment. Because anyone who has watched Jake for 2 seconds knows it wasn't about the 3,000. It was the part where he entered MICHIGAN history where he got choked up.

This was such a fractured community, fanbase and team. THIS IS the real MICHIGAN. Together. Whole. United.

The Team. The Team. The Team. 

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Louisville Wolverine

January 3rd, 2016 at 1:39 PM ^

What was really special about that moment to me was that it seemed like it may have gone through is head on the last drive or two, "why am I still in? Why isn't WS getting a chance to play?" And THAT is when it hit him - Harbaugh left him in to get to 3000 and on top of that WS would have been happier to see Jake get to 3000 than to get in for a few plays.

Rudock may have only had one season in Ann Arbor as opposed to the four years spent in Iowa but I'd bet that he'll look on this one year more fondly as the years go on and revisit the friends he's made b/c of this season much more frequently.



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You Only Live Twice

January 3rd, 2016 at 11:41 AM ^

Appreciate his due diligence there.  We can't know for sure what he had in mind, but legit concerns have been brought up.  

After having oral surgery a few years back, I remember about a 2 hour window where I was really questioning my wisdom in not filling the scrip for the painkillers.  Then it got better.

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Nickel

January 3rd, 2016 at 7:34 PM ^

Very cool to hear.

Even aside from the win, my Citrus Bowl experience was great. I only noticed 'piped-in' music once, and only noticed one goofy game-type thing on the screens between plays. Granted, I was sitting near the Michigan band, but it felt like an old-time game with the band playing nearly every chance they had between plays or during timeouts. I don't see a lot of other Citrus Bowl impressions here but I'd be curious if anyone else felt the same way.

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