Later today the Michigan football team will fight one of the greatest battles in the war against Ohio State which became such a classic in college football history under Bo Schembechler, who died Friday. The winner this year not only has the honor of victory of their arch rival, but also wins the Big Ten Championship and is guaranteed to end the regular season ranked the number one team in the nation with a spot in the national championship game. Hopefully the current players can win this one for Bo. For now, here’s some comments from some former players, along with a few others:
U-M Heisman Trophy Winner Desmond Howard (1989-91)
“Words cannot adequately describe the pain I am feeling today at the loss of someone who I loved and admired so much. The Michigan family – along with the entire college football world – has lost a giant. Bo was a man who shaped his young players into men both on and off the field. It was just a few weeks ago that when asked by ESPN executive Mark Gross why Bo Schembechler was my favorite coach, I replied without hesitation that Bo took me under his wing at a critical juncture in my life. In 1988, I was an 18-year-old kid going off to college and leaving home for the first time. In just a few short years, Bo prepared me to be a man ready to take on the world. He will be missed by so many but missed the most by all those Michigan men he helped to create.”
Former U-M Tight End Jim Mandich (1967-69)
“Today we lost the greatest Wolverine of all. He was a giant of a man and touched so many people, especially his players. Everyone knows about his toughness and discipline, but he was fun to play for, he was a hoot. He was the most fun person to be around, he was always very conversational, talked with great passion and had a twinkle in his eye. He made playing football fun. He was a hard-headed SOB.”
Former U-M Defensive Lineman James Hall (1996-99)
“Bo was not only a great coach but a great person. He impacted a lot of lives, including so many outside of football. Most of the people I’ve talked to had a great deal of respect because of the way he interacted and treated people. He will definitely be missed, and I know I’ll definitely miss him.”
Former U-M Offensive Lineman Jeff Backus (1997-2000)
“Obviously anybody who goes to Michigan, whether you’re a student or a student-athlete, you know about Bo and his legacy. Not necessarily being coached by him but being a football player there, you hear about the legend of Bo Schembechler and what he did for Michigan football and the university. He is probably one of the most recognizable names when the University of Michigan is mentioned. He’s going to be greatly missed by not only the football team and the athletic department, but any college football fan and any University of Michigan fan across the country.”
Former U-M Defensive Tackle and Offensive Lineman Dave Pearson (2000-03)
“I never got the chance to play for Bo, but he’s part of the reason that you go to Michigan because he started such a legacy there. I remember he used to come in and always speak to us before the Michigan-Ohio State game. He would speak to the team and give his thoughts on the game – he always got the team really fired up. I feel bad for the generations to come that they’re not going to get a chance to get to know him as a man. Even after he was done coaching, he was still a coach around there. It’s a big loss to the university and to college football as a whole.”
Former U-M Defensive Back Tom Curtis (1967-69)
“The news of Bo’s passing hit me very hard. He was instrumental in the lives of so many Michigan athletes — and not just football players. Bo was a symbol of Michigan to so many. To say he will be missed would be an understatement. Michigan meant so much to him and there will be a lot more players playing for him tomorrow than those dressed in Maize and Blue uniforms in Columbus, Ohio.”
U-M Head Football Coach Lloyd Carr
“We have lost a giant at Michigan and in college football. There was never a greater ambassador for the University of Michigan or college football than Bo. Personally I have lost a man I love.” (more…)
