Zinter and Keegan on Becoming O-Lineman

Submitted by Maizinator on October 11th, 2023 at 8:41 PM

Not paywalled.

https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/news/michigan-zak-zinter-trevor-keegan-share-origins-of-playing-line/

This apparently was from a hosted event by the Champions Circle collective, where the guys talked with Jake Butt.

The reason I'm posting it is because of Zinter's response regarding when he developed the desire to hit people as an O-lineman...
 

“I want to say high school,” Zinter said about when he learned he liked to hit people. “I don’t know. My head is like, you go out there and that dude, his mom is in the stands too. And you’re just burying him right in front of his mom. There’s something messed up in my head probably when I’m saying that, like embarrassing him in front of his mom. But yeah… it’s football. There’s something about it. I don’t know.”


Something about that response just kind of summed up the attitude of this team for me.  Not just play, not just win, but have the heartfelt desire to embarrass your opponent in front of their mom.

MGoBoard
Football
Zak Zinter
Trevor Keegan
high school
Offensive line

Amazinblu

October 12th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^

Coach, to be fair - I am not a former lineman.  I guess the word “cruel”, can be interpreted negatively - and, I’m sensitive to that being associated with the Maize & Blue.  So, words like dominant, nasty, overwhelming, physical, etc - are all appropriate.  
 

It’s not too different from a play calling strategy of “X” - we’re going to run IZ, etc. - until you stop it.  And, just pound the opponent into submission.

Ben Herbert cannot get enough credit for how effective the OL has become - and, I also (obviously) credit the players, the staff / coaches & analysts, etc…

Joined: 01/22/2010

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Amazinblu

October 12th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^

I respect your perspective - and, you nickname reminds me of a college experience many years ago (when I was an undergrad at Michigan).

A fraternity brother from the West coast had graduated and was an officer in my fraternity’s “national” office.  He was a PAC wrestler - and, I had about 25 LBs on him.   He suggested we “wrestle a bit” in the living room of our house.  I was reluctant, since I had little experience wrestling.   I would not say that he was “cruel” in our friendly match - but, he tossed me around like a rag doll, and despite the weight advantage I had - he essentially destroyed me.   Yes, I remember it all these years later.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41350

XM - Mt 1822

October 11th, 2023 at 9:36 PM ^

i totally get where he's coming from and would only add that the older i got the more i loved to play football (TE).  after practices and games, even when i'd get dinged up, there was an emotional high, a joy, from playing that never went away no matter how long i played.  

Joined: 12/21/2011

MGoPoints: 103141

HighBeta

October 11th, 2023 at 11:22 PM ^

Playing a sport that was one v one. In a box with glass walls. In front of a crowd. Never wanted to humilate anyone --- unless they tried to showboat me in front of the crowd. That made it personal, ad hominem.

Those guys needed to be run around the box until you could crush their hopes with pretty put away shots. Have them gasping for air in game 3. Made me smile, a little bit, at the end of the match. Pleasure beating you, sir. A. Genuine pleasure. 👍

Joined: 10/20/2019

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