Michigan-Indiana Sportsmanship

Submitted by BrayBray1 on

I was impressed with the sportsmanship that Michigan and Indiana displayed on Saturday. Three displays caught my attention immediatly:

-Denard gets tackled by IU player, IU player gives Denard his hand and helps him up, helmet slaps exchanged.

-Stevie Brown gets pressure on IU QB, hits him while throwing, both players get up and pat eachother on the back.

-The RR/Lynch embrace at the end of the game was both classy and showed the amount of respect that these two teams have for eachother. Well done Michigan/Indiana....Well Done.

Florida Blue

September 29th, 2009 at 6:54 PM ^

I definately agree with you on this. I noticed the same things that you did. Intimidation has a place in football but mutual respect does too. What a great game that was...not sure if the ticker can handle another one like it though.

Engin77

September 29th, 2009 at 7:02 PM ^

over the interception call which was reviewed but not overturned, I thought he showed alot of class with his post-game demeanor. Watch and learn, Charlie Wies.

ZooWolverine

September 29th, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^

My sister actually called me because she was so surprised that Charlie Weis wasn't being his usual whiny self during the post-game press conference. You know it's bad when it's a surprise when someone's not being a jerk. It's worse when the surprise was only because he hadn't gotten to his whining yet--that was more the second half of the press conference and, even worse, the next game press conference when he should have already had time to realize his complaints weren't valid.

akearney50

September 29th, 2009 at 7:56 PM ^

I hate it when guys from one team help up a guy from another team. That's why you have teammates. Let them help you up. It is soft and goes against the warrior mentality. Negbang me if you wish.

akearney50

September 29th, 2009 at 8:29 PM ^

I expected to be Negbanged but I really don't understand it. I was not promoting taunting or bad sportsmanship. This is the big time, it is not middle school. Simply, get up and get ready for the next play. Why must someone waste the time and energy on their enemy for that 60 minutes? I don't know how many readers played competitive sports, but when one of your teammates fell down or was on the ground good teammates were there to help them up. So if it is someone's enemies' job why should they concern themselves with it? If their teammates aren't there to help them up and encourage them that is their fault. "You play to win the game" not to help people help.

Ernis

September 29th, 2009 at 9:36 PM ^

Why must someone waste the time and energy on their enemy

There's no need to, in a literal sense. Helping someone up is not only courtesy, it is also a psychological display: It says, "I have the energy to help you up... energy to spare. And you were the one on the ground." It is, simply put, a display of superiority in both a physical and mental sense.

Ernis

September 29th, 2009 at 9:29 PM ^

Why should the noble warrior not display courtesy toward a foe? Has he something to fear? Has he something to hide? To show courtesy and respect to an opponent is a display of one's own confidence; to act with resentment and hostility reveals inner weakness.

Kids these days...

akearney50

September 30th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^

I never said anyone was a pussy, I said the act was soft. If you want to compare Reggie White and Shawn Merriman don't forget Reggie White said that homosexuality was a choice, and that each race had special characteristics. Those characteristics being blacks being gifted at worship and celebration, white doing "a good job of building businesses and things of that nature, and you know how to tap into money," and that "Hispanics were gifted in family structure, and you can see a Hispanic person, and they can put 20, 30 people in one home." You want your son growing up with those thoughts in his head?

As a coach, I want everyone of my player's to have Michael Jordan's mentality. Jordan didn't give a shit about his opponent during the game. Why should you? That's what made him the best. You take Reggie White. I'll take the best athlete of all-time.

UM Indy

September 29th, 2009 at 8:56 PM ^

His conduct immediately after the game and during this week is quite simply a textbook example of class and leadership in college athletics. He vigorously argued the call when it was made (as he should have) and his players saw what they wanted and needed from their head coach - then he let it go and refused to use it as an excuse for the loss. The Indy media has pointed out the stark contrast between him and a former IU coach.

I didn't think much of Lynch before Saturday. Lots of people here wonder whether he's in over his head, considering his only prior head coaching experience was at Division III DePauw if I'm not mistaken. Not to mention the tragic circumstances under which he got his promotion. After Saturday, I wish nothing but the best for Lynch and the Hoosiers the rest of the way. They were much better than I expected and lost a close, tough game that statistically speaking they probably should have won.

Nice post Bray.

Tweeter

September 29th, 2009 at 11:18 PM ^

Couldnt agree more. In todays age or whining and what have you done for me lately, I am mighty impressed by Bill Lynch. He was classy to a T, both immediately after the game and this week. Indiana has a great coach down there, and while he might not be the young version of a Terry Hoeppner, I believe he will lead that team to some very competitive seasons. Perhaps Dantonio should do some offseason consulting with Lynch.