Webber working on an autobiogrpahy
A couple years ago we saw an amazing 30 for 30 about the Fab 5, but one persepctive was missing — Chris Webber's. Soon we'll finally (we hope, at least) get his side of the story when he releases his autobiograhy.
Although I'm sure he'll also write about other things, I think it's fair to say MGoBlog Nation will skip straight to the Michigan years.
I profiled Chris Webber in last week's Sports Illustrated -- he's become one of the more interesting NBA voices as a studio and game analyst for NBA TV and TNT -- and during our conversation he told me that he's been working on a documentary about his life for the past six years. Webber said he plans to release both the documentary and an autobiography at some point next year and the working (but unlikely final) title is The Black Forrest Gump.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
Hmm, I've been looking in ALL of UM's official information about the basketball team in the early 1990's, and don't see any references to any "Chris Webber." Did he really come to UM?
Srsly... It's odd so many UM guys still have high views of him. He destroyed the program. And he's never publicly apologized for it. He lied to the unversity. While I understand he was deeply motivated by the unfairness of the situation, and surely was tempted beyond all belief, at some point he made a conscious decision to cross lines, lie, and act like the victim. He knew he had millions coming to him from the NBA; many other kids that came out of his situation, or worse -- even Jalen and Juwan -- find the capacity to wait until that payday. He was too weak, he didn't.
So, here's my take. Chris Webber can burn in fraking Hades. Screw him.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:41 AM ^
November 28th, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
Always the victim. He would have been a good buckeye.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
The end
November 28th, 2012 at 10:14 AM ^
November 28th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
C-Webb was one of my favorite players of all time.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^
We already have Webber's side of the story. It goes something like this:
"Everything is somebody else's fault. I did nothing wrong. Anyone who disagrees with me can kiss my ass. Taking responsibility for one's actions is for the little people."
Until he called in to WDFN in their early days, I thought Webber would be entertaining, and I really wanted to hear what he had to say. Sadly, he was rude, curt, and totally unrepentant and/or unaware of his own shortcomings.
This is one University of Michigan book/movie I won't buy, because it was never about the University of Michigan for Chris Webber; it has always been all about Chris Webber. Besides, I'm sure he will make enough controversial statements that nobody will actually have to read the book or see the movie. All of the "good stuff" will be reported and discussed ad nauseum.
"The Black Forrest Gump?" I hope Winston Groom sues him if he actually uses that title.
November 28th, 2012 at 11:01 AM ^
I really wish audio still existed of the WDFN tirade, because if we could post an mp3 of it every time a CWebb thread comes up, a lot of the Webber apologists would be changing their tunes.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:37 PM ^
I can't afford a pizza, or to go to a movie, and they're selling my jersey...all while he's taking thousands of dollars.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
about this, and I'm a fence-sitter--loved him as a player, confounded by way it f'd up M bball. I always assumed he WAS a kid, and that his parents' greed compromised him, but maybe this angle is off?
November 28th, 2012 at 10:29 AM ^
I think a number of you are being too harsh.
For example, what if the reason CWeb hasn't spoken on this topic is that his father took the money, and CWeb saw little of it himself? One can imagine many similar situations. Doesn't make it right, but a number of scenarios could make CWeb seem a little more of a sympathetic player from that sordid time.
We don't really know all the details, so to judge so harshly without all the information is likely premature (IMHO). Of course, this probably wouldn't be the first time for such a thing to occur on the internet...
I did love those Fab Five teams. Right down to the last minute they all played together. After that timeout, let me tell you, it was a long drive back to Ann Arbor.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
for his parents. Although it's asserted they were middle class, we really don't know anything about their finances. Not that anything justifies taking the money. . .
November 28th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
It's been 20 years! He's had time to clear the air if he wanted. If only they had made an indepth study of the time period that he and his teammates could get out their side of the story and shown it somewhere for everyone to see....
If after that long with all those opportunities you don't have anything to say, it's not "the internet's fault" for assuming you have something to hide.
November 28th, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^
At least he didn't let us know six years ago to build up anyone's hopes like Duke Nukem Forever. Actually, that might be a good title for his book...
November 28th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
After watching Jim Tressel be carried on the shoulders of an entire university on Saturday, it just drove the point home for me: no matter how successful Chris Webber was at Michigan, until there is acknowledgment and contrition, there should be no support. Watching the Tressel spectacle was stomach-turning. I want no part of that kind of hypocrisy.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
You make a great point and it kind of makes me look at Webber differently. I was in school during the Fab 5 era and it was spectacular. The basketball games were amazing and the buzz around them was great fun to be a part of (I worked a few hours as a student at Crisler at the time and got to sit on the court during games). I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. But I graduated before all the sh-t went down and don't have the bad taste like others that came after me so I don't appreciate all the hate. But analogizing the situation to Tressel being honored is spot on and I think my feelings about Webber being welcomed back have changed.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
in the media picked up on how ugly the Tressel thing was. And as for C Webb, I really wish there were a good accurate detailed picture of what happened out there. I would read it in a heartbeat.
November 28th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
If you bring the Tressel thing up, as a Michigan fan, it can sound like sour grapes, but among my friends who are non-Michigan and non-Ohio State fans, they were all appalled. It was like a big Fu** You to the NCAA.
November 28th, 2012 at 4:40 PM ^
I love the different reactions from people. I try to keep things in perspective and realize that many student athletes are students in the simplest definition of the word, especially in college basketball. Michigan profited off of the Fab Five, and I think if most of us were completely honest we would have taken the money too, given Webb's background. I don't think Chris Webber should be the scapegoat for what happened since it was a systematic problem. I blame the boosters, the coaches and mostly the administration.
November 29th, 2012 at 1:49 PM ^
What was it about Webber's background that would have enduced him to take the money?
November 29th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
From what I understand, Webber was from a pretty stable, middle-class (or at least lower-middle class) family. He was not as poor as Jalen Rose or Juwan Howard, and they didn't take big bucks from Martin (Rose admitted taking small amounts).
November 28th, 2012 at 6:21 PM ^
I am very interested to see what comes of this and his thoughts on the Fab Five and Michigan.