Michigan football players did not make it seem like Jim Harbaugh died during their first offensive possession against Penn State. They did not pay tribute to their “fallen” head coach by holding up four fingers during the fourth play of the game like they did when he was suspended earlier in the season.
However, starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy certainly made it seem like Harbaugh is no longer with us during an interview after beating the Nittany Lions on the road. It was weirdly emotional and deep.
Reminder: Jim Harbaugh is NOT dead.
The 59-year-old was forced to watch Saturday’s game from his hotel after being suspended by the Big Ten Conference on Friday evening. Barring a temporary restraining order in the coming days, it was ruled that he is not allowed to coach the team during each of the final three games of the regular season as a result of the ongoing investigation into the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal.
Interim head coach Sherrone Moore led Michigan to victory over Penn State in Harbaugh’s absence. He was cussing and crying after the game while giving a shoutout to the man he temporarily replaced.
And then it was McCarthy’s turn to speak with Jenny Taft. The 20-year-old signal-caller was fired up.
During his interview, McCarthy talked about how much he missed Harbaugh, as if he died.
In case you already forgot, Harbaugh did not die. He is very alive. He is allowed to coach the team during the week, just not on the next two Saturdays.
All of the drama surrounding the Michigan Wolverines and their head coach is exhausting. It only gets that much more insufferable when players and coaches act like Harbaugh is going to soon be buried six feet under.
He’s not. They will see him shortly after the game before flying back to Ann Arbor……………..