Football and family are synonymous in Michigan Made Ep. 4.
If the previous episodes of Michigan Football’s Michigan Made series got you hyped, episode No. 4 does that and more by putting everything in perspective.
If you’re a crier, no judgment here, but you might want to save this one for home instead of that usual quick break at work.
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When the helmets go on, it’s time to ball!#GoBlue | @meijer pic.twitter.com/t4YIuMG4iP
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) July 29, 2024
Getting ready to put the helmets on
The Wolverines aren’t skipping a beat this season when it comes to strength and conditioning. Head Coach Sherrone Moore talks about his team and where they’re at in August, saying, “They’re a fast, physical, violent football team.”
“We expect to be ready for games in August. We’ve got a lot of tough games early, so we’re just trying to get better every day and have energy every day because every day counts.” – DL Kenneth Grant
“You guys are ready. Everything you’ve done, where you’re at physically, you’ve built a great foundation. What we just did shows that. Everybody, from the looks of it, smashed.” – Sean Lockwood, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Semaj J. Morgan Foundation Football Camp
This week, Michigan Made takes us to West Bloomfield High School and the football camp put on by Semaj Morgan. The wide receiver will wear the #0 this season, and while he might talk a big game, he’s still focusing on giving back to the community.
TJ Guy and Donovan Edwards were also there, working with kids in the community and helping Semaj with his camp. They know how important camps like these can be for kids as they grow up.
“I love seeing him give back. That for me, means so much more than just being on the field and being a great athlete.” – Semaj’s mother, Erika Morgan.
“Everybody came out today to support Semaj. I’m doing my best to make sure all the little kids have fun. If I see a little kid sad I make sure they cheer up a little bit. I don’t want nobody to have a bad experience.” – Michigan edge-rusher TJ
Michigan Stadium and the fans that make it great
Not only do we hear from players about what they love about playing in front of the crowd at The Big House, but we also hear from season ticket holders. For many of us, these interviews are so relatable. We all have families and friends we’ve been watching the games with for years, or maybe relatives who’ve passed away but taught us the words to “The Victors” and helped raise us to bleed maize and blue.
“Playing in front of 110,00 you know, there’s nothing else like it. I embrace playing in those big games because that’s when true colors are shown.” – DL Mason Graham
“It means everything to play in The Big House to me. I’m a homegrown guy. This is my dream school growing up so being able to do the things I’ve done here so far is just a dream come true. I can’t picture it any other way.” – DB Will Johnson
“This is what you dream of when you’re a little kid. You dream of just being on the field and looking up and seeing 100,000 people.” – WR Tyler Morris
“My previous wife passed away 18 years ago, but one of the big things was we went to the Rose Bowl together. It was tough being without their mother, but the love and the family that comes from Michigan football made it so much better.” – Gary Heitman, season ticket holder
“There’s nothing more special to me than football Saturdays in Ann Arbor.” – Eric Ponce, season ticket holder, Class of ‘98
“These kids have been going to Michigan games since they were in diapers and I had to stick them in the back of my pants.” – The Lieto Family, season ticket holders
Advice to Team 145
The episode ends with advice to Team 145 after the fantastic end to last season. I think it’s safe to say this time of year, we’re all getting a little excited for the team to hit the field again.
“Work hard, try your best, it’s okay if you win or lose” – The Lieto family.
“Now you know what it takes to get there. You understand the hard work it’s taken to get there. Now you have to recommit to doing the same thing.” – Sherrone Moore
What’s your most memorable moment from The Big House and who were you there with? Let us know in the comments!