Denard haters, believe it or not.
I just have to get this off my chest.
I was out at the bar watching the game yesterday, and from the first snap, I couldn't believe the misinformed, racist garbage spewing out of the mouth of one of the patrons at the table next to ours. As soon as Denard came out onto the field, I immediately overheard this guy complain, "I don't understand why they're still running that idiot out there at QB. Last week proved that he can't play QB. They need to put Tate in."
For a while, he kept to himself, but as soon as Denard threw that interception (his only interception of the day, mind you), he started mouthing off again, "What a dumb throw. A chimp could do this guy's job. In fact, this guy is a chimpanzee." WTF?
Naturally, Tate came in and had a pretty good performance, no doubt, but it was particularly frustrating hearing, "Look at how much better we look now" despite the lower completion clip and two picks that Tate had on the day. Even after Tate's second pick, the guy kept going on, "That's okay, we should leave him in. Denard needs to move to cornerback; it's obvious that's all he ever was."
It's bad enough that there are people who blame the quarterback no matter what is going wrong with their team (especially with THIS team), but it's just beyond frustrating to overhear this type of misinformed, racist garbage in this day and age. We have a quarterback shattering records left and right who has been very good throwing the ball, but some people would rather just adhere to misconceptions of how football "should" be played and what a QB should look like.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:29 PM ^
Unreal. Michigan was moving the ball with Denard in the game. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Sorry he didn't break one loose for an 80 yard touchdown. Talk about "What have you done for me lately."
God, worse than Yankees fans sometimes.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
agree, these last 3 years have brought out some brutal people to listen to in our Fanbase..
Apparently a lot of these people should sign a contract to coach in the big ten.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:32 PM ^
Regardless of your view on religion and the wrath of God, no God is worse than Yankees fans!
October 18th, 2010 at 12:05 AM ^
racism (aka hate) and it's unacceptable. Hope he never drinks in the same watering hole as me on a game day. Would have to give him a brief orthopedic multiculturalism talking to.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
...Denard critics are not all racist. I have a good friend who bleeds Michigan Blue and his feeling is that the last 2 games proved that Denard is too one dimensional to continue starting (or playing 1st team if the team is behind) against the top teams. He likes the idea of starting Forcier right now and likes the idea of starting Devin Gardner in the future.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
The guy is racist because he called Denard a chimp, not because he wants Tate to start in front of Denard. I'm sure there are a bunch of racists that are Denard supporters.
So, in sum, this guy is both racist and bad at evaluating football talent.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
...the guy was definitely racist. I just wanted to clarify something when speaking to the general topic, rather than one specific guy.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:12 PM ^
Does the non racist realize Denard is 16th in the nation in pass efficiency as well on top of being the top rusher?
October 17th, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^
well said. nuff said.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
Yankees fan. And I like Denard
October 17th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
You know what I mean. The "What have you done for me lately" attitude. You know, the one that forces a fanbase to boo future HOF Derek Jeter when he's in a slump.
October 17th, 2010 at 11:35 PM ^
sorry. Yankee fan checking in. Dont know what you are talking about, but Jeter has NEVER been booed by his own fans. Never. He could crap his pants in the batters box and Yankeee fans would accept it.
find another example to make your point.
October 17th, 2010 at 11:46 PM ^
In a turn of events that shocked the baseball world, Derek Jeter was booed at his own stadium… by his own fans.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^
Thank you... is that guy serious? Some yankees fan. (And for the record, I'm a Mets fan... I know Mets fans or no better.. but I use Yankees fans for the sole purpose of outlining a spoiled fanbase.)
October 17th, 2010 at 11:48 PM ^
IN the home borough of the Bronx cheer, apparently nobody is sacred. Not even Derek Jeter.
What's he done for the Yankees lately? He's batting .175 and in an 0-for-25 slump, and the fans, or whatever they are, are booing him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-even-by-br…
October 18th, 2010 at 8:43 AM ^
Thank you, good sir.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^
George isn't at home please leave a message at the beep.
I must be out or I'd pick up the phone, where could I be?
Believe it or not I'm not home.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^
Good thing I wasn't there. I would probably started a fight (and gotten a black eye) if I heard that chimp comment. Bullshit racism like that is... well, bullshit.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
Anytime someone says something outrageously jacked up about Michigan players, I threaten them with violence. If that doesn't work, I berate their logic. Then, after I have had enough beers I start to Fuck.Shit.Up.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
Their actually ARE Michigan fans who are Denard "haters?"
Someone please immediately revoke their season tickets, little Michigan car flags, their M hats and anything else maize n blue they might've invested in over the years. They clearly are too stupid to be allowed in any longer.
Can we get a fan IQ test of something? I was thinking about having a short version of the Wonderlic for all prospective Michigan fans. Anything under a 22 and you have to root for MSU.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:20 PM ^
Step 1: read your first sentence. Step 2: read the third part of your post. If you still don't understand, repeat steps 1 & 2 until competence ensues.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
in handling that comment! Thanks for the needed laugh!
October 17th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^
I'm glad you're offended by such behavior which is exactly what I expect from a Michigan Man. That guy 's an idiot , but infortunately he's not alone in his moronic thought process. Man I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the fact that the guys on this board joke, love ,and fight one another. We're like one big MGOBLOG family .We may be different races but we're all the same color....Maize and Blue. Go Blue!
October 17th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
Starting Denard is as big a cultural shift for us as the Fab Five were. There was a segment of the fanbase that was highly "uncomfortable" with their style and demeanor. That segment were silenced as we won and reached the two Final Fours, but news of the Ed Martin scandal gave them an "out" to resume trashing them. (Note that a lot of fans - even on this board - routinely associate all five with Martin, even though only one actually was.)
Every game I go to, I hear people make snide remarks about players' dreadlocks, and on a few occasions I've heard people mutter things like "That's what you get with a black quarterback." It's something RR has to deal with. (The ridiculous NCAA "scandal" does not help perception, unfortunately.) But if he wins, it'll mostly go away.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
"what you get with a black quarterback."
Fortunately I haven't heard those sorts of things (yet).
"starting Denard is as big a cultural shift"
We've had black qbs before, unless I'm completely going senile, IIRC Demetrius Brown and Michael Taylor were black qb's. Unless you mean the spread offense as a cultural shift.
Also didn't Antonio Bass play some QB?
October 17th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
30-2-1 from 72-74
October 18th, 2010 at 10:54 AM ^
We're acutally discussing a topic like this. Talking about the "racists" just fuels their idiotic fire. Let them wallow in ignorance.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^
Let us see. I'm older, white and just to make it clear, I was born and raised in the deep South. I remember different doors and drinking fountains. I have a very clear opinion on this.
Florida Wolverines have dreads!
Now, about hiring this Suth'run coach? Hell yeah!
October 18th, 2010 at 8:24 PM ^
The Fab 5 dominated right off the bat against nearly all comers. As well as taking us to 2 title games. If we were 7-0 those racists would be silent. Sadly any loss just gives them excuses to spout their stupidity.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:44 PM ^
Basically, I just think that Denard has lost confidence in his arm. He makes a mistake, which causes him to hesitate the next time around. The next time around the hesitation causes a mistake that normally would have been fine. I think that's something that young QBs generally need to work through.
I think when we start to get behind, he is always looking for the big play. What he needs to learn is that sometimes the big play is just getting a first down to get 3 more shots at big plays.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:03 PM ^
I knew this was going to happen as soon as Denard got the starting job. You could see this coming its a new world for michigan and this fan base is so set in its old ways this is not even suprising to me. This is why coach rod has had a hard time with this fan base who wants a so called michigan man to be the coach. It's really frustrating hearing this I hope Denard reads this so he can see what he is really dealing with when it comes to this fan base. Denard has set the world on fire with his play the first 5 weeks of the season. He is a winner and by far one of the most exciting players in the country. He has had 2 bad weeks and he has to deal with this shit. I feel for Denard because I know how hard he works for this team and yes these so called michigan fans. I hope Denard stays here at Michigan but I can see him transferring to another school along with Devin Gardner.. Im serious when i say this because why would you want to play for a school that has racist fans calling you names because you are a black quarterback. I would go somewhere where I was appreciated and not looked at like I was a second class citizen
October 17th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^
I'm assuming this was in response to the OP and not my comment.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
My bad joeyb it was in response to the Op not your comment
October 18th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
Seems like I heard that postgame. Not sure if it was his throwing arm or not, but either one would probably cause issues. I think he's more banged up than anyone knows. He did seem a step slower on his runs as well. Maybe the Iowa D was quicker, but he didn't seem to have the breakaway stuff.
Not knocking Denard at all, just think he's feeling it a little more mid-season than the UConn game.
Great to know Tate can come in and do what he did as well. Freakin' deep at QB.
Saw your avatar joeyb, just before the team went off the field after the pre-game warm up. Must be something that Lewan and Denard do now. Also saw Tate, Denard and Devin all do the jump and bump at the same time, before they left the field.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
I'm glad you brought this up because I had to deal with this in the stadium. It was after the game had ended. This white trash fool (I usually don't say that but if you saw and heard the guy you'd agree) behind me starting telling his gf, or whatever she was, how Denard wasn't a good QB because he was a stupid black. It took everything I had not to take the guys head and shove it into the concrete steps. However, I did tell him that he was a racist piece of shit and to not come back. He just looked at me and left. I guess he didn't notice all the other black players on the field. I seriously hate people sometimes.
October 17th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
It amazes me how dumb people can be. Yes, the past 2 games, have been less than stellar but to resort to racist remarks is unacceptable. Kudos for you to speak up
October 17th, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
October 17th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
...but I would like to see anyone who is so ignorant as to hurl a racist epithet at any player have his season ticket revoked.
Then, just for giggles, he should be fed ample doses of hallucinogens, thrown in an interrogation room, and forced to listen to "If You Seek Amy" piped in at ear-splitting decibel levels for 24 hours.
It wouldn't cure his ignorance, but the punishment would come close to fitting the crime.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^
about the blue hairs at the Umass game.
The ones calling Rodriguez a "dirty mexican that should be sent back across the border" were particularly loathsome. We need a new word for people who are racist AND profoundly ignorant.
I'd like to think that they probably just had wet diapers, but I'm sure they are actually filthy humans inside too.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:59 PM ^
I think the word for people who are racist and profoundly ignorant is "racist."
October 17th, 2010 at 9:35 PM ^
I'm so glad I didn't hear any of the racist stuff at the game on Saturday. I would have lost my mind, jumped on the offender, beat them to a pulp and promptly gotten arrested. I had a hard enough time listening to the stupid "Great move! You just lost the game for us!" remark after Taylor Lewan's second false start.
With that said, I love Denard, and he has more passion and love for this team than any fan who would denigrate him.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:29 PM ^
But not sure why you posted this. Instead of his obnoxious racist comments being heard by a few, you're posting them on the internet. Not sure I see the point.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^
I wanted to express my anger to the group of people most likely to empathize with my frustration.
The past two seasons have been difficult as it is, but at times, it's not the opposing fanbase that makes it hard. It's the misinformed, the bigots, those opposed to change on principle that identify themselves as UM "fans" that make it the most frustrating.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
I don't want to see both QB's play. This offense is so much more explosive with Denard running the show it's not even close. Denard is the reason we opened 5-0 (had we started Tate to open out the year we'd be having a very different type of season). I sat next to an idiot at the bar yesterday who kept bashing Denard and calling for Tate. He tried to rub it in about how the offense had stagnated while Denard was on the field only to be jump-started by Tate. This guy was a UM grad (as am I) and I really had to contain myself in order to not tell him to shut the hell up. I'll say this, there is a portion of our alumni base who is probably pulling for Tate to hold the job for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately for some out there such sentiment is based on skin color as opposed to actual performance on the field. It saddens me to say it but that's what I experienced yesterday. And oh by the way I'm white...
October 18th, 2010 at 2:03 AM ^
would this be the same Tate that threw two picks? One of them at a point where the game could have been had?
October 18th, 2010 at 8:11 AM ^
Be careful of your line of thinking there. Not everybody who thinks we should be playing Tate is a racist. Is every fan who clammored for Denard last year a racist? We have two good QB's who each bring something to the table and there are non-racist fans who could intelligently argue for each. I am in the group that feels that Tate is clearly a better passer, but Denards running ability is so good that overall he is a better choice now and has a chance to be something really special. That did not keep me from being frustrated last week in the second half against MSU when we were clearly going to throw the ball on every down and Denard struggled, nor did it keep me from preferring Tate in there in the second half this week when we were clearly going to throw the ball on every down. Everyone on this team is open to some criticism, and as long as it is legit, football criticism, so be it. If it is racist B.S. you should punch them in the nose.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
Unfortunately college football is not immune from ignorance and bigotry that infiltrates society. There are some fans who have a hard time accepting social changes and will put forth an effort to "keep things as they are", if only by denagrating people perceived to be a threat to the "old order" . As Michigan fans we are not white, black, brown, or yellow, nor democrat or republican - we are all blue. I love Fielding Yost not because he of his politics or social views - I love Fielding Yost because he established a winning tradition at Michigan. We must understand our social views are largely shaped by our environment and tempered by the time period we live in. I want the coaches to put the best players on the field to give our team the best chance of winning. It doesn't matter if that player is white or black, has dreads or a buzz cut, is bearded or clean shaven. What does matter is if the player is capable of winning on a consistent basis, or has the ability to out perform opponents. RR played Tate last year because he was our best option at quarterback. As we are all aware he is playing Denard for the same reason this year. RR and his staff have demonstrated they will play the best and/or most competitive players, period.
October 17th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
This is not post worthy.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
There are racist people everywhere who won't change. From what I have seen people like both QBs and criticize mistakes.
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