Whats the deal with Rick Leach?

Submitted by cplat on

Whats the deal with Rick Leach? Does anyone else find it a bit creepy uncle-ish that he is always there to talk about M? I've seen him at pep rallies -- both on campus and at bowl game locations. And he gets quoted in all kinds of articles.

I mean, I know he was a 4-year starting QB (30 years ago), then played in MLB for like 10 years, but why do people still care what he has to say? Or doesn't he have anything better to do than hang around the program and seek out attention?

Glen Masons Hot Wife

December 12th, 2008 at 2:28 AM ^

In that case, why do they quote ex-athletes at all? So because they no longer play, we shouldn't give a shit what they think?

I can see how he may be viewed as excessive, talking more than the average ex-athlete about something he was once the focal point of. But still, the fact that he was there, in the locker room to hear Bo's pre-game speeches, or on the sideline, with a ten-year old Jim Harbaugh hanging all over him, getting in his ear (link to the photo below), he has a unique perspective from which to speak about UM football. And especially having been so close to the program, and keeping in touch with the right people, he's probably privy to a lot of shit most people aren't.

So yeah, I care what he has to say.

http://thosewhostaywillbechampions.blogspot.com/2007/03/passing-torch-f…

mad magician

December 12th, 2008 at 2:49 AM ^

As you can see, the real deal with Waylon Smithers is that he's Mr. Burns's assistant. He's in his early forties, is unmarried, and currently resides in Springfield. Thanks for asking!

Wait. Wrong guy. The deal with Rick Leach is that he is a veritable Michigan Legend. From Wikipedia:

'Leach was a star quarterback at the University of Michigan from 1975 to 1978 under legendary coach Bo Schembechler. A left-hander, he was given the starting job before his freshman year and held it until he graduated four years later. In his freshman year, with the Big Ten championship and the 1976 Rose Bowl on the line in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, Leach would throw an interception that was run back for a touchdown by Ray Griffin that would be the final score in a 21-14 Buckeye win. However, Leach and the Wolverines would never lose to Ohio State again in his career. One of the finest athletes in Michigan history, Leach was named All-Big Ten as a quarterback three times and also placed in the voting for the Heisman Trophy three times. He was co-most valuable player in the 1979 Rose Bowl.
Leach shattered all Michigan's career passing, total offense and touchdown records. He set an NCAA record for most touchdowns accounted for (82) and broke Big Ten records for total offense (6,460) total plays (1,034) and touchdown passes (48).

A standout on the diamond as well as the gridiron, Leach won the Big Ten batting championship as a junior and won the rare honor of being named All-American in both football and baseball.'

So yeah, I think if you're going to forever brag on the importance of tradition, as we at Michigan are known to do, then what your greatest QB ever has to say should be held in some esteem.

turbo cool

December 12th, 2008 at 5:12 AM ^

well, for starters he was one of the best QB's in the history of our program. and 2, well, he can say whatever the hell he wants. you give a shit b/c he is our program and believes in it. granted he probably gets quoted more than the norm b/c he offers many 'notable quotables', but he did a lot for our program in the past, so he is entitled to have his say on the present and future state of our program.

dakotapalm

December 12th, 2008 at 6:06 AM ^

Well, when morons like Drew Sharp and the other Detroit MSM columnists are ripping RichRod, it really puts their peabrains in perspective when a Legend talks about Coach Rich in the same way that he talks about Bo. So when all this negativity and Chicken Little propagandanistas who have absolutely NO perspective on the things that are saying-and even worse, publishing, it is a breath of fresh are for a reputable QB like Rick Leach to come on the scene and say, "Hey Guys... ya know Coach Rich Rodreiguiz? I think he's the shiz."
That is all.

Don

December 12th, 2008 at 8:16 AM ^

I find it humorous that somebody who frequents a blog devoted to every tiny little bit of information and rumor concerning the Michigan football program criticizes a former STAR of said program who openly supports the team and university he graduated from, and that his dad and children did or will graduate from. Tradition isn't solely what happens on the field; it also is created by the active, ongoing support of the Michigan athletic teams by alumni and former players in any sport.

20 years from now, will you be saying "Why should we give a damn what some old broken-down ex-player like Charles Woodson or Mike Hart or Jake Long says? It's creepy they're hanging around the stadium and pep rallies."

Blue Durham

December 12th, 2008 at 8:29 AM ^

I am just thankful that someone who knows football (can talk the talk and has walked the walk), as opposed to MSM types like Drew Sharp, has spoken out on behalf of Rich Rodriguez.

Rick Leach may not have been the prettiest of passers (he wasn't), or the best running QB we've had; he was just the winningest. And to me, that accounts for something.

Garvie Craw

December 12th, 2008 at 8:43 AM ^

I'm glad someone is standing up in support of Rich Rodriguez. There should be more. And to think he's hanging around trying to get our attention is just stupid. Rick Leach was a great leader who played for Bo in the glory days. What he isn't is some snot-nosed kid who doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

Mr. Maizenblue

December 12th, 2008 at 8:46 AM ^

Rick Leach's!!!!!! I second dakotapalm, with all the slander and negativity, we need more alumni saying their peace in support for this University and its Damn good football coach.

If what leach says and does for Rich Rod and Michigan bothers you, Then go East young man, East lansing that is, and be the little brother that hates the "Creepy Uncle".

Mr. Maizenblue welcomes any and all support for the U of M. And enjoys hearing former players, like Leach,and even more Larry Foote, BASH the Rivals.

Like coach, I echo ALL Rick Leach has had to say. GO BLUE!

TorontoBlue

December 12th, 2008 at 9:05 AM ^

Since LC chooses to sit on the sidlines mute and not utter one word of support for RR and the program, even while he's a paid member of the athletic dept - LC seems more the creepy uncle to me than Leach.

chitownblue (not verified)

December 12th, 2008 at 10:27 AM ^

The same people bitching about RR are the same people that wanted Carr run out of town on a rail (IE, the old guard still pining for Les Miles) - Carr has no sway over these people.

jmblue

December 12th, 2008 at 12:43 PM ^

I'm not sure. I think there are also some Lloyd diehards who are put off by the stunning fact that our program isn't 100% the same as it was (captains, swearing in practices, etc.) under Lloyd.

chitownblue (not verified)

December 12th, 2008 at 10:29 AM ^

Rick Leach is a famous Michigan alum whose opinion and word still carries some influence - especially over old monied boosters still jerking it to Bo's biography. There are PLENTY of Michigan alums who take an active interest in the program (ever heard of Braylon Edwards?). Just because you're too young to look past the narrow sphere of your existence doesn't mean that Rick Leach is irrelevant - for a large swath of Michigan fans, his word carries weight.

Aequitas

December 12th, 2008 at 11:01 AM ^

You're either about 12, which may excuse some of your ignorance, or you're an asshat spartie / golden domer / bucknut trying to get a rise out of Wolverine nation.

There's no way you're serious.

There is hardly a more qualified person to comment on UofM athletics than Rick Leach, and if you've not been living under a rock, he's bled Maize and Blue publicly since he started at QB as a freshman.

Seriously, Rosendouche, Little Feller, Carty and Boodini run their sucks about Michigan, tearing down the program, insulting our players and our coach, and you're concerned about one of it's greatest athletes, ever, supported the current head coach?

Amazing.

Maize4Blue

December 12th, 2008 at 12:15 PM ^

I think Rick is a fine example of staying with your team through thick and thin, and even more remarkable that an ex-player of his calibur supports such a young and new program. Rick Leach is a fine man and better Wolverine.

However, I fear for his physical well-being if he's bleeding anything other than dark hemoglobined blood. Especially if its frequently and in public. I think we owe it to Rick to help him seek immediate help so that he may speak his mind without any blood loss associated risks.

Rick Leach, you are an amazing man. I wish you all the best in health. May your blood, as multi-colored as it is, stay in your body.

Brodie

December 12th, 2008 at 12:17 PM ^

I love Rick, I love how he represents our school and our team and feel he is probably the greatest athlete in the history of both the University and the state of Michigan.

But wasn't he busted with coke during his baseball career?

Yostal

December 12th, 2008 at 5:13 PM ^

Between Rick Leach's recent stirring defense of Coach Rod and Michael Taylor's calls in to WTKA with regard to the Tony Mandrich revelations (http://mvictors.com/?p=1279), I think we need a series of shirts supporting the Michigan Quarterback Truth Squad.

Wouldn't many of us like a shirt that very simply says
"Your freakin' day is coming." --Rick Leach

in the style of the "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions" shirt?

kmich

December 12th, 2008 at 6:39 PM ^

We finally have an old QB that is coming out and saying the things that most of us are thinking but we don't have a microphone around us. He is more of a Michigan fan then many of us, and he has been proving it by sticking with our team and telling everyone the truth about Rich Rod and this program. If we can all be like him we would have 100,000+ fans cheering their heads off rather then people telling us to be quite and sit down.

Jeffro

December 13th, 2008 at 2:19 PM ^

I'm happy to see Leach supporting R.R. After a dismal season, Coach Rod needs all the support he can get. R.R. is a proven coach and needs to be given a far chance, regardless of what the media/haters think.

Bando Calrissian

December 14th, 2008 at 12:58 AM ^

Rick Leach has never seen a microphone he didn't like, and never saw a situation he couldn't turn into an excuse to talk about himself.

See: the Rose Bowl pep rally in 2007, the HBO Rivalry premiere last year, etc. etc. etc.

Dude runs his mouth. A lot.