When Jake met Blake....
Jacob had a heart issue that required surgery and, while on campus, his father Ben had requested a tour of the football stadium. During the visit he and his dad got an unexpected surprise...
"According to dad, to this day, when anyone asks Jake about having to undergo surgery, he doesn't talk about the hospital. He talks about how he got to meet Blake.
"That small amount time can end up being amazing — how it can impact and change a kid, really forever, I truly believe that," Ben says. "Like, Jake will never forget that moment and he'll never forget Blake O'Neill and he'll never forget being there. The joy on his face was priceless."
Source: Mlive, 11/6/15, Brendan Quinn
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/11/the_candid_quick_story_of_when.html
November 6th, 2015 at 6:53 AM ^
And here's to not having to use Blake at all tomorrow.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
Put him in the wildcat.
November 6th, 2015 at 7:12 AM ^
Blake O'Neill gets it!
November 6th, 2015 at 7:13 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 9:05 AM ^
I think we should all go to the Outback Steakhouse to get a good sense of Blake's culture. If nothing else, we should get a good, authentic understanding of his upbringing.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 7:18 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 7:41 AM ^
I'd love to have that shirt
November 6th, 2015 at 8:26 AM ^
...we can overlook the trademark violation of the Arm & Hammer. Pretty cool T!
November 6th, 2015 at 7:24 AM ^
Can't Touch This.
November 6th, 2015 at 7:24 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 8:02 AM ^
Do you mean mini vitamins?
November 6th, 2015 at 7:42 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 7:52 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 7:46 AM ^
It's always special to meet an Aussie.
November 6th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 7:49 AM ^
#M-representin'
There is more to life than football. Filling a scared little kids heart with joy and good memories is truly priceless.
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November 6th, 2015 at 7:56 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 8:00 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 8:20 AM ^
Blake... the kid... the shirt. It's stories like these that had me telling my wife: "If our son ever has a SERIOUS problem, we're going to Mott's." I don't care if I have to bribe a few board members or kill a man-- this is where I want my son to go.
#GoBlue
November 6th, 2015 at 8:22 AM ^
Atta boy Blake, tip of the cap to you sir!
November 6th, 2015 at 8:30 AM ^
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November 6th, 2015 at 8:51 AM ^
Thanks Blake for taking time out to make a big impact for a special kid. Great little vignette.
November 6th, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
+1 for the use of the word vignette :)
November 6th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^
This is awesome. Having Blake on the team has been special this year. He's going to be difficult to replace, both on the field and off.
(That's an awesome shirt, too.)
November 6th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 9:00 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^
The only shame out of all of this is that we only get to have Blake for one year. Kid can flat out punt!
November 6th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
Grad assistant to Baxter?
November 6th, 2015 at 9:16 AM ^
We should get more Aussie punters.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:25 AM ^
Foreign punters in general. Or from space.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:28 AM ^
Pulling for you, Jake.
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November 6th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
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November 6th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
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November 6th, 2015 at 9:32 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 9:32 AM ^
November 6th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
This is a great heartwarming story.
I expected some story about Rudock and O'Neal having a dinner date together chock full of snark.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
Normally I would agree, but this is not heart warming. Well, at first it was, but then I saw Blake and my heart was on FIRE.
November 6th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
Blake O'Neil? more like Blake O'Awesome. AMIRITE!?!?
November 6th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
Is that your son, UMProud?
November 6th, 2015 at 1:34 PM ^
No he is not ... my boy is 19 but unfortunately doesn't attend UM.
November 6th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
O'Neil has been an excellent punter, a great representative of Michigan football. Wish the man nothing but the best in all he does. Go Blue
November 6th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
He is a great punter. He will win us the Ohio State game.
November 6th, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^
Be The Hammer and pound out that heart issue! May Michigan forever be in your blood and a healthy hear pump it! Thank you for posting this story it really made a bright spot in week.
Go Blue!
November 6th, 2015 at 4:03 PM ^
I love these stories. . . Best wishes to Jake for continued health!