Go Blue For Chad Tough.
So I am not sure how many of you are college football fans, but I consider myself a huge follower and a big fan of the Maize and Blue, The University of Michigan Wolverines. This past week was massive for college football as it was National Signing Day across the country – a day where National Letters of Intent are signed and submitted by high school seniors whose dreams have come true as they agree to play their sport at the next level. The University of Michigan chose to combine this day with a fundraising event for one of their own athletic “family,” Chad Carr, grandson of retired Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr.
For Michigan, this day was major as they signed the #4 overall ranked recruiting class according to scout.com. They also reeled in the nation’s consensus number one player in 2016. Not to mention, some say Michigan picked up the nation’s number one recruit last year, as well, with Jim Harbaugh becoming head coach of the Wolverines.
Coach Harbaugh and Michigan have been in the news a lot this offseason in regard to some of their recruiting activities. Some activities were good, some not so good and some were “quirky.” However, I but can’t help but just laugh and love Coach Harbaugh for his unique style. While visiting recruits, he has climbed trees (at the request of the recruits younger siblings), “dabbed” (a new dance fad, apparently) and even stayed the night at a recruit’s house rather than a hotel just to spend that much more time with him. Again, quirky.
National Signing Day was February 3rd and was a much bigger deal for Michigan than any other school. They held, in partnership with The Players Tribune, what they referred to as “Signing of the Stars,” which was held on campus at Hill Auditorium. This event was a private invite, with exclusive live stream through theplayerstribune.com where the head coach, recruits, past and present players and fans came together to introduce the newest members of the Michigan family.
This was not an ordinary event either – it was huge and so professional. You can watch the event here.
When I say the event was huge, I mean it was HUGE. They brought in many celebrities from the college football level and beyond. Each celebrity introduced a new recruit once they had signed their NLOI. Celebrities included Super Bowl Champion and Michigan Alumnus, Tom Brady, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop, Derek Jeter, World Series Champion and retired Detroit Tigers Head Coach, Jim Leyland, 18-time World Wrestling Entertainment Champion, Ric Flair (seriously, The Nature Boy was there, WOOOOOO!) and many others.
Could you imagine being one of these high school seniors in an environment like this? It was insane just watching it.
It was a glorious day, to say the least! But all the professionalism, star-power and sports bravado were small compared to the meaning and outreach of the day. All proceeds of the event benefitted the ChadTough Foundation (#ChadTough) and over $110,000 was raised during the 3-hour event. The Foundation funds research and raise awareness for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Chad Carr died on November 23, 2015 of a brain tumor.
This event was just amazing to watch. I can’t imagine how amazing it was for the high school seniors that were introduced to the family, and most importantly, how amazing it must be for the family of Chad Carr as they are trying to bring more attention to these children suffering from such horrific circumstances. How can this event not be something you’d love?
