Zinter and Keegan on Becoming O-Lineman
Not paywalled.
https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/news/michigan-zak-zinter-trevor-keegan-share-origins-of-playing-line/
This apparently was from a hosted event by the Champions Circle collective, where the guys talked with Jake Butt.
The reason I'm posting it is because of Zinter's response regarding when he developed the desire to hit people as an O-lineman...
“I want to say high school,” Zinter said about when he learned he liked to hit people. “I don’t know. My head is like, you go out there and that dude, his mom is in the stands too. And you’re just burying him right in front of his mom. There’s something messed up in my head probably when I’m saying that, like embarrassing him in front of his mom. But yeah… it’s football. There’s something about it. I don’t know.”
Something about that response just kind of summed up the attitude of this team for me. Not just play, not just win, but have the heartfelt desire to embarrass your opponent in front of their mom.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:08 PM ^
There’s a Scott Frost joke in here somewhere, but I’ll leave that to the more talented posters.
October 11th, 2023 at 10:44 PM ^
Trevor & Zak hit dudes so hard it forces them to defecate.
Their opponents always out shit them.
October 11th, 2023 at 11:09 PM ^
Poor Scott. After the "outhit" episode it was all downhill when his Mom told him "Harbaugh is the son I should have had". I mean, who wouldn't fall apart after that?
October 12th, 2023 at 2:25 AM ^
Scott Frost's mom furiously appreciates the Zak Zinters of the world. Because they block good.
October 12th, 2023 at 5:16 AM ^
Sign in Indiana
October 12th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^
When moms are involved I always assume it's a Zack Wilson joke.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:11 PM ^
Win with cruelty.
October 11th, 2023 at 11:32 PM ^
I don’t know whether “cruelty” is the correct word.. but, “nasty” certainly has a place in the trenches.
October 12th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
Apparently, you've never played in the trenches...
October 12th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
Coach, to be fair - I am not a former lineman. I guess the word “cruel”, can be interpreted negatively - and, I’m sensitive to that being associated with the Maize & Blue. So, words like dominant, nasty, overwhelming, physical, etc - are all appropriate.
It’s not too different from a play calling strategy of “X” - we’re going to run IZ, etc. - until you stop it. And, just pound the opponent into submission.
Ben Herbert cannot get enough credit for how effective the OL has become - and, I also (obviously) credit the players, the staff / coaches & analysts, etc…
October 12th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
I hear ya, as a former lineman and O/D line coach myself, cruelty is encouraged. Get in those guys heads and suck the fight out of them physically and mentally. Keep it legal and cruel!
October 12th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
I respect your perspective - and, you nickname reminds me of a college experience many years ago (when I was an undergrad at Michigan).
A fraternity brother from the West coast had graduated and was an officer in my fraternity’s “national” office. He was a PAC wrestler - and, I had about 25 LBs on him. He suggested we “wrestle a bit” in the living room of our house. I was reluctant, since I had little experience wrestling. I would not say that he was “cruel” in our friendly match - but, he tossed me around like a rag doll, and despite the weight advantage I had - he essentially destroyed me. Yes, I remember it all these years later.
October 12th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
I respect your perspective, as well. That's why you never try to fight ANYONE with cauliflower ears! It's also why everyone should wrestle or learn jitz.
October 12th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
From back when Harbaugh was coaching at Stanford: "'We're going to win with character but we're also going to win with cruelty." Stanford football: Character, cruelty - ESPN - Pac-12 Blog- ESPN
October 12th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
my guy...
October 11th, 2023 at 9:12 PM ^
I'm guessing every highly successful competitive athlete has that mentality. Win with character but also win with cruelty.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:22 PM ^
Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!
October 12th, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
Username fits
October 11th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^
I’m pretty sure Andy Richter said that not Conan O’Brien
October 12th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
The open step! A fleet horse! Falcons, at your wrist -- and the wind in your hair...
October 12th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Wrong!
October 11th, 2023 at 9:28 PM ^
James Franklin is an embarrassment to his mom every week.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:35 PM ^
So is cryin' day...🤣🤣🤣
October 11th, 2023 at 10:16 PM ^
So is Scott Frost. To be fair to Frames and Day, at least they still have a paycheck.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:36 PM ^
i totally get where he's coming from and would only add that the older i got the more i loved to play football (TE). after practices and games, even when i'd get dinged up, there was an emotional high, a joy, from playing that never went away no matter how long i played.
October 11th, 2023 at 9:37 PM ^
Reminds me of the book "If I don't six" - a must read for football fans.
October 11th, 2023 at 11:22 PM ^
Playing a sport that was one v one. In a box with glass walls. In front of a crowd. Never wanted to humilate anyone --- unless they tried to showboat me in front of the crowd. That made it personal, ad hominem.
Those guys needed to be run around the box until you could crush their hopes with pretty put away shots. Have them gasping for air in game 3. Made me smile, a little bit, at the end of the match. Pleasure beating you, sir. A. Genuine pleasure. 👍
October 11th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
I'm guessing tennis. Maybe wrong.. but good for you!
October 12th, 2023 at 12:09 AM ^
Thanks! Game was squash.
October 12th, 2023 at 12:10 AM ^
I'd say racquetball.
I love that game but that shit is tough, especially when you're playing against someone that knows what they're doing. When I first started playing, it was against a guy that would lead me around the court like I was on a string.
October 12th, 2023 at 12:19 AM ^
It's all angles, spins, soft, hard, left, right, deep, shallow --- all designed to move you away from the central key so that you can't reach the ball before bounce 2.
Raquetballs bounce, squash balls don't. Lol. It's pure joy.
Thanks. Fun explaining past pleasures sometimes. 🙂
October 12th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
Squash and racquetball - as well as paddleball.. great indoor activities…
Quickness, agility, positioning - own the “T”…
October 12th, 2023 at 6:37 AM ^
Did he yell at a 90 year old man to prove how tough he is??
October 12th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
Zinter hits fools so hard their 90 year old great-grandpa feels it.