jls1144

March 14th, 2013 at 6:10 AM ^

Good read. I feel like DRob will have success wherever he goes. His pure athleticism, and determination seem to surpass that of his peers. I can't imagine a better locker room guy.

bluebyyou

March 14th, 2013 at 6:21 AM ^

Thanks for sharing the piece -  Denard is just a great kid, on and off the field, and my all-time favorite Michigan athlete.  It is terrifc he values his degree from Michigan as much as he does; it is something that all Michigan grads can relate to with pride.

LSAClassOf2000

March 14th, 2013 at 6:21 AM ^

"It was the dream of my family to see me graduate. I'm going to be the first in my family to graduate from a four-year school. That's what I wanted to do, that's what I put my mind to and that's what I'm going to do."

He's talked about this in various interviews before, but it is nicely crystallized here. He has mentioned that he always dreamed of playing in the NFL, but I believe that even as far back as his recruitment, the notion that he would be the first in his family to graduate from a college or university made the primary aim the academic one for Robinson. I hope that teams see this as a huge positive in the draft actually, because that speaks to character (with would be part of leadership in the locker room) in addition to athletic talent. It will be a great moment for him, his family and the University on May 4th. 

Great article, and thanks for sharing it!

APBlue

March 14th, 2013 at 7:59 AM ^

I love how he's  determined to finish.  I hope whatever NFL team drafts him doesn't push him to not walk with his class so that he can take part in practices.  

I would love it if his family were able to see him walk across the stage and get his degree.  He's earned that.  

STW P. Brabbs

March 14th, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^

While no one walks across the stage at the big graduation ceremony in the Big House (except for the PhDs, right?), aren't there smaller ceremonies for each department?  That's how it worked for me - the History Dept. had a thing in Angell where we did indeed come up and walk across the stage. 

Adam Schnepp

March 14th, 2013 at 6:44 AM ^

Regardless of what he does in the NFL I think Denard will always have value as an ambassador of the University because of things like this. He's definitely got an impressive work ethic.

buddhafrog

March 14th, 2013 at 7:54 AM ^

Yes.

Denard will have a place at Michigan until the day he dies, possibly unlike any other player, maybe even our more recent Heisman winners (who, like, always have a place too, as do all our players, as do all our alums, but you all understand).

The way he hung with the program and gave it his all, under the most trying of times that this university has faced in ages/ever, and doing so with complete class, leadership, humility, poise, and joyfulness, has made him a legend.

Oh, and he was good at football, too, but that is not what has made him a legend.

weasel3216

March 14th, 2013 at 8:08 AM ^

Do you think Denard will be remembered more than Woodson, Howard and Harmon?  I think it is very likely, not because we liked and appreciate Denard over the other three but because of the media that surronded Michigan during his time on campus.  Yeah Howard and Woodson were on TV each week but while Denard was here, Michigan had two terrible seasons and the media jumped all over it as well as opposing fans. 

Regardless, Denard will join the ranks of Michigan greats and always have a place in Michigan history.

APBlue

March 14th, 2013 at 8:00 AM ^

I think this was one of my favorites from the article:

It turns out the most electric athlete in college football, complete with world-class speed, long, flowing braids and his signature untied cleats is Bo Schembechler Old School.

LB

March 14th, 2013 at 8:18 AM ^

I was expecting just another article telling me that he doesn't tie his shoes. That was well-written and shows more than a dusting of knowledge or research.

UMgradMSUdad

March 14th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^

but I can't resist being "that guy."  The fused sentence in the OP sucks: "Hope he gets paid he deserves it."  Combined with the post's title, it sounds like DrWolverine is advocating that Robinson be paid for graduating.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

March 14th, 2013 at 8:37 AM ^

He has a great story and hopefully his approach will rub off on more athletes in AA, just like Taylor's return.

I hope the NFL and his whole future exceed his expectations.

StephenRKass

March 14th, 2013 at 9:14 AM ^

I think this is the kind of thing that good coaches really appreciate too. Hoke is about more than football --- he wants to help shape fine young men. And part of that is finishing what you set out to do in going to college.

While NCAA footbally largely functions as a professional minor league feeder system, kids like Denard harken to a day when it was more than that. This is the kind of thing that makes Lewan staying for next year a good thing, beyond the fact he will be a stud LT.

Back to Denard, he has always been a classy athlete and as said above, an incredible ambassador for Michigan. I am one of the legion of fans who was glad he was here, and glad he was our quarterback the last four years.

StephenRKass

March 14th, 2013 at 9:35 AM ^

Two users chose to downvote the OP.

I find their lack of faith disturbing . . . But would like to know WHY? So to the two who downvoted the OP:

  • Do you feel that the story was bad?
  • Do you dislike the original poster?
  • Do you dislike posters who link to other articles?
  • Are you trolls from other fanbases?
  • Do you feel that Denard was overrated?
  • Do you want Michigan to just move on from Denard?

While admittedly there is plenty of group think at mgoblog, this would seem to have been about as innocuous, feel good of a post as is possible, so I'm confused.

GoWings2008

March 14th, 2013 at 9:57 AM ^

I can't imagine how any Michigan fan seeing this post having read the article or not would downvote the OP.  Having looked at who they were, the two posters appear to be somewhat inexperienced...so possibly they think the OP was a waste of their time?  Hard to say, but if they are indeed Michigan fans, then I'm terribly disappointed.

LB

March 14th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^

After all, they enticed me by using "wonderful Yahoo article about Denard getting his degree". Imagine my shock when I opened it and discovered that it was an article about Denard.

In fairness, the article did wander. It wasn't all about Denard's degree. The article discussed Denard's preparation for today (go get yours, Denard!) and mentioned his family. Hell, they even brought up that old guy the building is named for.

This article is so full of win that I feel sorry for anyone who felt a need to downvote it. They must lead a pitiful existence. It is also possible that they couldn't see the screen through their tears. That could mean they are huge fans... or sparty.

 

tbone13

March 14th, 2013 at 9:48 AM ^

Denard is in one of my smaller classes. Honsestly I've gained much more respect for him knowing that he shows up to every class, especially this class  that is very easy to blow off since all of the work is online. He represents the student athlete very well.

APBlue

March 14th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^

Thanks for sharing that.  I think too often people assume athletes will skirt the system, especially elite athletes.  

I think one of the most endearing things about Denard is that he has been as serious about his studies as he has about his football development.  

 

steve sharik

March 14th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^

Anyone can find out by clicking the "voting details" tab, but in this case they deserved to be called out.

polometer, Kapitan Howard

These members have just north of 100 points in over 3 years of membership, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt in hoping they did it by accident.

Otherwise, negging posts like this is more reason to tempt the banhammer than some of the things that have gotten Bolivia'd, imo.

Soulfire21

March 14th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^

Felt I must share my lament that this post has been downvoted.

I think what makes Denard special in Michigan lore is his on field accomplishments, which are great but by no means unsurpassed, combined with his attitude off the field.  He's just a stand up guy and deserves every good thing coming for him.