[LOCKED] Harbaugh invites Obama honorary team captain
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/201…
No politics is a good rule to keep in mind here.
From a football perspective - Obama is likely very popular amongst most of the kids we recruit and building some ties to a President re-inforces what we are as an accademic institution.
From recruiting, I view this is a big score.
MOD EDIT - This one is starting to go in all sorts of directions that it shouldn't. It was a nice bit of news, not political in the least really by itself, but alas....the search for nice things begins again. - LSA
Given the demographics of football recruits, probably not a problem with them.
Except Obama hurt that demographic more than any pres in a long long time.
Username checks out.
My point was not about the merits but about how they feel about the man, which is enormously positive. I would dispute your point on the merits, but it's not for this board.
Who upvotes something just blatantly false? The loss of objective truths is the single biggest issue our country faces.
Maybe not the single biggest...but it's definitely up there.
People honestly believe that Obama was BAD for black people? If you are one of those people, you really have a disconnect from reality. But anyways, global warming is fake news, and Obama was a puppet for ISIS to run our country. These are the facts we should be focusing on.
People who don't read beyond headlines, and believe what they read because it seemingly confirms their beliefs. That's who.
Except this isn't true whatsoever...but if it makes you feel better.
It's also beside the point. Which was that it would like be appealing to the majority of the team. Not your beliefs on how Obama's administration impact the players.
Even if you were correct...your point is dumb as hell and you should be slapped for it. I drink, I know it's not good for me...but I drink. People knowingly do things that hurt them for a number of reasons. So really you just wanted to post your opinion on Obama...that was it. Because it had nothing to do with the comment you responded to.
Besides, unless Obama did something that directly impacted a family of someone on the team...they're 18-22 years old. Bright kids, but their "world view" isn't exactly fully developed. They're in college. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Obama didn't cock block them at the bar or club last weekend, break their PlayStation controller, or do anything to prevent them from playing football.
Oh, one more thing...CHEERS.
Give me evidence. What are your metrics? Where are the data? How did Obamacare and declining unemployment hurt these "demographics"?
Exactly. I said the same thing when he invited Trump last year. We have to remember that over half the country doesn't support the current President.
No we don't.
We can realize that it's a football game and all he's doing is talking to the team and going out for a coin toss.
We can realize that it's really not that big of a deal and doesn't mean Harbaugh, Michigan, or anyone else supports the person...but it's an opportunity, for those that want it, to meet a President or former President of the United States of America.
Is Harbaugh saying...okay, now you all have to vote for the man? No. He's providing opportunity. Just like Rome. Did you know you didn't have to go on that trip? If you wanted to go to South Beach with your boys, Rome was 100% your choice. This is another opportunity.
Some opportunities you may like, some you may not like. That's part of life. As long as there is no penalty for declining, there is no problem with this. As far as I know, there is no penalty. So if Wilton Speight or Rashan Gary don't like Obama...they don't have to shake the man's hand and listen to him address the team.
It's not that difficult.
Fair enough. I missed it.
But realize that someone else above you made the same comment and didn't seem to be joking.
So I don't think "subtle" is the right word. If you say Fire Beilein in the Fire Beilein thread...someone's probably going to believe you want to Fire Beilein. A little different, but you get my point.
I did not see the subtle joke and still don't see it after reading it a second time. Also, what you said was worth being said on this board anyways.
His approval rating leaving office was 59%.
To say half the country doesn't support him is incorrect.
that's a difference of about 13 million more than the current pres.
and your "facts", this is what pisses me off about this country. It's not about numbers, it's about how you feel. Frickin liberals amirite?
I can't believe I even have to do this, but /s
It's pretty common knowledge that Michigan leans far to the left as a campus (not trying to provoke, but it's fact) so I don't think a captain would turn off a recruit if the university as a whole didn't.
I'd be more concerned about pissing off big athletic donors that are Republican.
Overall, I don't think it will be a big deal and everyone will get along because Michigan Football is a uniting experience.
I'm not sure Harbaugh cares...Mr. Ross could be republican, I honestly have no clue - although I'm sure it's an easy find if I were to look it up.
Harbaugh is kind of above politics at this point. At this point even if Ross is a republican, this is his rebel coach doing something against the establishment again...going against the grain...or providing some huge opportunity that will rub some folks the wrong way. In your mind, this is satilitte camps, $8M/year, Jordan Brand, and Rome (including a visit to see the pope). It's what you signed up for and support - even if it goes against what you believe personally.
I was being a tad hyperbolic in my response to the other guy, but I completely agree with you. I don't think it'll be an issue at all. I'd have to assume that most people who are donating millions have such a strong allegiance to Michigan that it would take something huge to break that.
I think most are wise enough to respect differing viewpoints and opportunities to see a former president.
I would love to shake any former president's hand. Doesn't mean I love all of them or all of their policies.
You're being waaaay too sensitive about this.
You act like he invited Obama to come coach the team for a game.
Of those who voted in 2008 and 2012, more than half supported Obama.
How does one get 20 million points.
Must have a large congregation pastor.
I suspect if he dunks you, he'll gladly give you 10 mil. In points, that is.
I'm guessing he's a prosperity gospel preacher, it's the only thing that makes sense. I'm surprised he wasn't featured in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y1xJAVZxXg
Some of you guys are missing the point. If there's chance that the most popular living president is an honorary captain for your college football team, you accept. Simple as that. That's what keeps M football as one of the premier programs in the country. You think he'd even think about doing this for MSU lol?
to pardon.
I think Obama will bring some incredible media exposure to the University of Michigan and think that its a great move by Harbaugh to throw out the invite.
we'll see if anything becomes of it
Obama has (almost) never been more popular. And they do have a personal relationship. Hope he comes!
The Air Force home game would make sense. Should be warm weather and he is the former Commander in Chief.
I don't think you would prefer him as a captain for a big home game, as you need to be more focused.
a 'no politics here' attitude on this forum if our own head coach seems to be pretty keen to make Michigan football very much a politics zone.
While Harbaugh is rather outspoken on some issues, I fail to understand how folks don't see this as what it is from a football standpoint - another way to keep Michigan at the forefront and another way to get some eyes on the team that might not be there otherwise. I don't really read a particularly political motivation into this move at all.
I mean, there are actually weirdos on Twitter that are saying they might find another team to cheer for solely because of this invitation, which is basically the point where you SHOULD tell people to quit drinking and go to bed.
I feel like any sane Michigan fan should love signing 5 stars much more than they hate a former President who isn't even making policy decisions anymore.
sure..but Obama is a pretty controversial president who's barely out of office. I'm not gonna deny that his approval ratings went up considerably once he started running out the clock the last year or so of his presidency, but it's not like we're talking about some elder statesman completely removed from the political arena here.
And lest we forget, Harbaugh showed up at a Hillary rally a few days before the election (which didn't end up winning Michigan for her but was certainly part of the effort to do so). I think it's pretty obvious Harbaugh is a Democrat at this point, which is fair enough, but any time you position yourself politically when you don't have to and when it's really outside your scope then really you're taking a risk. If I go into a business meeting and start talking about my politics, then maybe 8 out of 10 guys in there agree with me but maybe 1 guy is really alienated. That's 1 guy I didn't have to aliente who I just alienated for little gain and maybe I could really use that 1 guy in the future for something.
Fire him.
BACK TO HOKE! He'd never do this! He doesn't even wear a headset! He doesn't wear sleeves!
I take it you arent from mid Michigan, and thus havent seen the down turn since the 70s from this Marxist globalism plan. Nor have you payed attention to the cupcakes and their safe spaces, Antifa attacks, hoax hate crime reports, every thing is the white mans fault, and only whites can be racist. It is a joke. You judge a person on their merits.
I grew up in Flint, and lived in and around the city for about 48 yrs. The south end used to be a nice area. It is akin to a war zone now. They tore my old elementary school Cody down because whores were taking their tricks inside to do business. I recently bought a house in Owosso to get away. I was living in Flushing, but even that is about to be over run with crime ala a wave of walkers sweeping into town. It happens every where the section 8 rental numbers go up. Not that all are bad, but like with Muslim Terroists, it only takes 5% or so and you got a mess on your hands.
As much as I enjoy Harbaugh as coach, he is an ass for bringing this sausage to the campus. Well for an invite that is. It remains to be seen if Muzzie lover accepts. Like they say in recruiting and dealing with illegal aliens, "build that damn wall". Keep politics away from Michigan Football.
also checks out