OT: DJ Fluker Tells You to Marry Your School

Submitted by OccaM on

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/marry-your-school/

I thought this was a great write up. It had a bit of everything and emphasized the right things while acknowledging the realities (just casually avoid the bagmen rumors around him while you read it). 

M-Dog

February 7th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^

At first I thought it was a joke too.  But it was very well written, and from a unique and authentic perspective.  

There is nothing in the article that I can argue with.  It is good advice for recruits, from a trusworthy source for them.  

turtleboy

February 6th, 2015 at 9:20 PM ^

Marry your school, like 'bama married Fluker. You should see the wedding gifts they bought him..
All kidding aside it is a good writeup. It never ceases to amaze me how poor an effort schools, and recruits put into the process.

DealerCamel

February 6th, 2015 at 9:33 PM ^

It's true what he says concerning studies - if you go to Michigan or Notre Dame or Northwestern, but never go to class, then what's the point?  The education portion is worth exactly what you decide to put into it.

San Diego Mick

February 7th, 2015 at 1:40 AM ^

When he got drafted by the Chargers in 2013, just before training camp started, I was walking into the grocery store and saw this behemoth of a man walking towards me and as he got closer I realized it was DJ and I went up to him and introduced myself, told him I was a Michigan fan and punched him in the arm and called him an asshole because Bama kicked our butts the previous season.

What did he do? He laughed and said "well you know, we do what we do and that's what we do" I kid you not. I wished him luck with his NFL career as I am a Chargers fan as well, behind the Lions of course.

As I walked away, I was SMH at myself for punching him in the arm and calling him an asshole, what is wrong with me? That's how much of an M Fan I am.

treetown

February 7th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^

Yes,he skirted around the bag man issues but it is worth noting what he did point out beyond the quote "marrying your school."

1. Unlike what many fans on the boards may feel, he acknowledged very little prior understanding of the tradition and history of the place. Maybe a bit of hyperbole but he publicly stated he didn't know who Bear Bryant was. The point here is that tradition is great for us long term fans and alumni but for a lot of these kids - it is just stuff that happened in the distant past -might as well be talking about Red Grange and The Gipper.

2. He mentions how some schools really saturate a region such as LSU and the whole state of Lousiana (of course) and New Orleans. For decades that was the Wolverines, but now honestly we face a real credible threat that it is Spartans doing this.

For all of us, the tradition and legacy are important; honoring predecessors like Bo, Harmon, Ford, etc. all matter but for the current group of recruits and subsequent years, it probably was more important that Tom Brady was the recent Super Bowl QB or if Denard Robinson becomes a marquee RB; and of course if the Wolverines win the Big Ten and appear on national TV late in the year.

Last, beating State and not that school in Ohio arguably has now become the number priority.

Go Blue!