The Blog for the Sports Gamer Three guys who love Sports Gaming rant and rave about various stuff.

The Passing of a Michigan Legend

I had just gotten in my car to meet my wife for lunch when I heard the news today. Bo Schembechler had died this morning. Generally, I'm not really affected all that much when I hear about a big name having passed on. Even those for whom I had some affection. For most of us, it's not like we really know these people and it seems silly to get over-sentimental about a person you've never met. But, for obvious reasons, this one is much different to me. It's much more personal.

Bo was 77 and had a long history of heart trouble and had other medical problems in recent months. Yet I find myself shocked that he's gone. I'm not sure how much of that is because it's on the eve of one of the biggest Michigan/Ohio State battles in history. But as someone who was raised as a Michigan fan, a Michigan football fan, pretty much from birth, the idea that Bo is somehow mortal just doesn't seem possible. He's not made up of the stuff of lesser men. He's Bo. And how can Bo possibly be gone?

As I ate lunch with my wife I found myself trying to recall specific memories of Bo and I was surprised to find that I really couldn't come up with many. Considering I spent nearly all my Fall Saturday afternoons in the 80s watching Michigan football, you'd think there would've been moments that were particularly memorable, but I honestly can't name one. I just think Bo, and I think Michigan football. End of story. They're one and the same and there's just no single moment seen through a kid's eyes on TV or from atop my dad's shoulders in a distant seat at Michigan Stadium that could possibly sum up what the guy represented. Bo made you proud to be a Michigan fan and because his eventual successors both came from his staff, it's never felt like he was really gone from that sideline. At least, not to me. And now I wonder what it will be like to watch the game tomorrow. How will it be different? What impact will it have on the Michigan coaches and players? Hell, what impact will it have on OSU sideline? I really don't know what to expect, but I do know that for anyone with a passion for Michigan football this will be one of those days you will always remember. I know that thirty years from now I'll still be able to tell you I was getting in my car to meet my wife for lunch at Qdoba when I heard on ESPN Radio that Bo Schembechler had died.

Rest in peace, Bo. You will be missed.