OT: Xmas Eve and What Michigan Player are you Thankful for?
This is all time and whatever sport you want.
For me...Its Denard. I am so thankful for you my man. He brought me so much Joy..more joy than any player I can remember in the last 15 years. An honest share of frustration too...but man so much FUN to watch.
I hate the RR years, but we wouldn't have one of the most amazing Michigan Men to attend the University without RR. So thank you Denard! You were pure excitement and lightning to watch.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^
All of them ;)
December 24th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
I was even thankful for JOK during Purdue. Now that is a "Thankfulness" Unicorn right there.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:10 PM ^
Marquise Walker. One of my first Michigan memories is this catch against Iowa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCP0wSE69dY
I remember going in my backyard and having my dad throw me passes for days trying to make one handed catches after that
December 24th, 2018 at 9:12 PM ^
GREAT choice. That was one memorable catch!!!
December 24th, 2018 at 10:34 PM ^
It was a thing of beauty, wasn't it?
December 24th, 2018 at 10:35 PM ^
Great pic!
December 24th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
Jim Harbaugh, for calling his shot against OSU and then backing it up with a clutch performance. And then coming back to restore order to the mess left behind by RR and Hoke.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^
Zak Novak. He brought our team back to relevance and sacrificed his brain for "the anneurism"
December 24th, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^
Denard, Peppers, and three way tie between Winovich/Gary/Patterson
December 24th, 2018 at 9:44 PM ^
I love Gary. His commitment brought us swag we haven't had in a while. I just thought he would have taken over games defensively. Don't get me wrong, he was still an incredibly good player. But I feel like Chase was able to take over games in a way Gary wasn't able to. Maybe that was due to Gary's double teams?
December 24th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
I would take 11 winovich’s over 11 Gary’s any day.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:56 AM ^
Devin Bush says Hey.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
As a 98 grad, there can only be one answer to this question. #2.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:49 PM ^
Hard to argue with that! I was 13 that year, still have all the old newspaper clippings and pictures I saved in a box somewhere. Don't have the heart to toss them!
December 24th, 2018 at 9:40 PM ^
Mo Wagner because his mom is hot
December 24th, 2018 at 9:43 PM ^
I'll never forget being 8, 9, 10 ish and watching games then going out in the yard with my buddy taking turns pretending to be Desmond, Derrick Alexander, Wheatley, Elvis Grbac etc... And of course the fab five as well- had cutout newspaper pictures of them all over my room.Hardly remember a thing about the actual games...but could never forget the hours and hours we spent outside imitating these guys ( and many more of our Michigan "heroes"). Sorry I couldn't pick just 1, that whole era ignited my lifelong fandom and for that i'm forever grateful!
December 25th, 2018 at 12:49 AM ^
Yeah the poster above who mentioned trying to emulate Marquise Walker had me remembering how as a kid we used to strike "the pose" like Dez.
December 25th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
Man, those were the Glory Days of my Michigan fandom. I was in high school and college from the late 80's to mid to late 90's. Just magical days of ruining OSU's Title chances with crushing wins. I miss you John Cooper.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:44 PM ^
Nik Stauskas. Because he was fun at Michigan, and now he's playing for my hometown Trail Blazers. That's a plus-one.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:44 PM ^
Tim Biakabatuka, one of my first clear football memories is him running wild on Ohio state, I still have my stained up white #21 jersey in my closet.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:51 AM ^
I had lived out of state as a kid in 93 and 94. When I moved back, I remember watching a game (was it at UCLA i think?) And i was like "how do you even pronounce that guys name?"
I was a huge Wheatley fan, but Biakabutuka carried the torch well.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
Trey Burke. My favorite Michigan athlete of all time. The Kansas shot will be the greatest sporting play I have ever watched.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:46 PM ^
Fantastic choice. Everyone will remember where they were when that went down... similar to Poole’s buzzer beater last year
December 24th, 2018 at 9:51 PM ^
Not gonna lie, Poole’s was unforgettable as well, moment where you remember exactly where you were at and who you were with.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:46 PM ^
One for each major sport-
Mo Wagner
Mike Hart
December 24th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
Denard - last guy to beat TSDS since Navarre in 2003. 5 TD game.
My favorite all-time is Anthony Carter - he showed Bo that the forward pass was a weapon. With Wangler and some fine Rbs and great OLINE play - Bo finally won a bowl, and a big one 1981 Rose Bowl.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
I'm thankful for Iggy. He's at least partially filled the hole that Moe Wagner has left in my heart
December 25th, 2018 at 12:52 AM ^
I would like to land one Euro big every year from now on to keep this going.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
I agree, we need to be like Gonzaga and need to start pulling more random guys from eastern Europe. Cole Bajema will have to do for this next recruiting class
December 24th, 2018 at 9:56 PM ^
December 24th, 2018 at 10:03 PM ^
What a weird question.
December 25th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
What a weird answer.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:10 PM ^
Rick Leach. Although Dennis Franklin was the QB when I first became a Michigan fan as a boy, Rick was a stud. Four year starter, ran the triple option, left handed QB, 3rd in Heisman voting, 1st rd pick for the Tigers although never really was a stud ballplayer.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:33 PM ^
Rick Leach had a nose for converting short yardage 3rd downs that had to be seen to be appreciated. For myself, I’m most thankful for the school and the opportunities getting a degree from there provided me. Seeing a parade of gifted student-athletes waging tribal warfare on my behalf has been the cherry on top of a very nice sundae.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^
I agree with the OP! Put us back on the Map!!! GO BLUE and Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^
Joe Johnson and the exciting 1973-74 team-they played the game damn well. Present day...Ignas Brazdeikis-he plays the game wonderfully and he's a difference-maker.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:41 PM ^
Anthony Carter. Changed the way Bo called games. Saw the game winning scamper vs IU and was hooked.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:45 PM ^
Braylon Edwards. The first Michigan football game I ever watched was the 2004 game vs MSU where he went off.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:47 PM ^
Tyrone Wheatley and Chris Webber for making me Michigan fans in the first place.
Charles Woodson...because he's Charles Woodson.
Denard for making the dark times somewhat enjoyable.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:55 PM ^
Great topic! Has to be #2 for me. I was 17 in the title year and I remember thinking I would never see a better athlete for the rest of my life. He is an icon of the program.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
Your mom
December 24th, 2018 at 11:09 PM ^
Bill Freehan
December 25th, 2018 at 5:33 AM ^
Considering his UM career as both player and coach, and his illustrious career with the Tigers, just giving this a +1 doesn't seem like enough. So let me add this:
Amen, brother.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:22 PM ^
For me it's a three-way tie -- Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson and Chris Webber. I was a student during Howard's and Webber's time at Michigan. Desmond's Heisman year was incredible with all the electrifying TD catches. And I still vividly recall being in the stands at Crisler when the crowd gave the HS senior Webber a standing O as he walked in during a recruiting trip. Those two guys gave me some unbelievable sports memories. And Woodson because he's gotta be the best Michigan defensive player of all time.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:31 PM ^
I'd be most thankful for any of them willing to come over to my house and help me finish putting this fireplace together that I've been working on for what seems like several years now.
Also, Desmond.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:44 PM ^
Calling XM!!
December 24th, 2018 at 11:33 PM ^
All of them that don the maize and blue! Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2018 at 11:42 PM ^
The epitome of cool: Juwan Howard.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:53 PM ^
Christmas Eve ... and any player that plays in the next game.