Warde Manuel Statement on MSU Pre-Game Walk
I had a conversation on the field with Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman prior to the game regarding the situation that occurred during the pre-game warmups. My preference is to keep that conversation and any further discussions between us. I will work with our staff and the conference to see how this situation can be prevented from happening in the future. It is a great rivalry between two Michigan Universities, and the focus should remain on the game, the way it’s played, and the final result.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:57 AM ^
SAWFT
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:14 AM ^
I don't like that he acknowledged the rivalry... better to understate it, like years past....
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
I wouldn't understate it; I'd just call it what it is -- a serious problem. MSU is displaying abhorrent behavior in public, representing a publicly funded university on TV by provoking fights and deliberately trying to injure players. I mean, I don't see how any parent can be comfortable with their kids watching last week's game, seeing what the rivalry has become under Dantonio. It's ugly, and it's not fun, but even beyond that, MSU football is at best the most civilized version of the worst human qualities on display. That's something to rebuke, not celebrate or ignore.
And even this ghastly show of sports in its most toxic and barbaric incarnation is only because they know they have something to lose if they cross the line. There's no doubt in my mind they'd go all Tonya Harding on Winovich's kneecaps if they could get away with it because hell, they're already on record as pro-child molestation so what's permanently crippling a few people if it means beating Michigan? Who'd disapprove, the fans openly cheering Bush's injury? The humanist in me is going, who the fuck are these people??
You don't trivialize a serious problem, although literally the only thing worse you can do is undermine your credibility to legitimize it by publicly calling it "great".
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
This is the correct approach. It's been 72 hours. Time to move on towards PSU and the stretch run. There'll be all off-season to rehash this drama
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
His statement on this matter should have simply read: "21-7. Fuck Sparty."
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:10 AM ^
"His statement on this matter should have simply read:21-7. "
We'll be laser focused on this 21 hours a day, 7 days a week, 94 weeks a year
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
i actually agree, far too many headlines since saturday focused on harbaugh and dantonio's comments on the matter vs. michigan's beatdown of those poopholes on the field.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^
That statement is appropriate. I wouldn't expect the Michigan AD to call out MSU's program publicly for being "trash" or "dirty". It just wouldn't be the right thing to do.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
Best article yet on Msu's "get off my lawn" tactics on saturday. I assume its ok to link 247 articles
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
If anyone hasn't listened to Sam Webb from WTKA yesterday, give it a listen. It was pure gold, worth every minute.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
Weak sauce.
How about the non-called holding penalties Warde?
How about 2016 robbery in the shoe?
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
Simple, direct, and to the point without fueling the fire. Exactly what it should say.
October 23rd, 2018 at 12:30 PM ^
Warde is low-key and prefers to remain in the background, and that statement is in keeping with his style. He's a bit different from the athletic directors we've had in the recent past; Jim Hackett was very visible in a good way (perhaps by necessity, since he inherited a mess), and David Brandon was very visible in a bad way. Warde is like neither of them.
In any case, I'm sure they're handling it.
October 23rd, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
David Brandon, a man who made so much money destroying people's lives and companies. What a strange niche he carved out for himself.
October 23rd, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
To drag this out only puts the focus and attention on Dantonio and MSU. That's all they could ask for since their football has become a non-plus.
Warde is smart in getting the focus on him and off the coaches.
October 23rd, 2018 at 3:44 PM ^
It has been so long since MSU gave us a game that I no longer consider them rivals. (Is there shorthand for tongue-in-cheek?) TIC
October 24th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^
Taking the high road... I like it.