The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1083898
MARCH 2019 THE WOLVERINE 95 BY AUSTIN FOX W hen the New England Patri‑ ots took down the Los Angeles Rams 13‑3 in Super Bowl LIII Feb. 3, it marked the sixth championship for former U‑M quarterback Tom Brady — a feat that no player in the history of the NFL had ever accomplished. His statistics during the game weren't necessarily eye‑popping — 21‑of‑35 passing (60.0 percent) for 262 yards with no touchdowns and a pick — but it was still enough for the Patriots to hoist the trophy. The only other athlete in the sport's history who had ever won five rings was defensive end Charles Haley (two with the San Francisco 49ers and three with the Dallas Cowboys), further exemplifying just how in‑ credible Brady's accomplishments are. The Super Bowl triumph was also the signal‑caller 's 30th postseason win, a feat he has achieved during 19 NFL seasons. Impressively, nearly a third (31.5 percent) of his profes‑ sional campaigns have ended with a championship. Despite the record‑setting victory, Brady remained as humble as ever after the game. "It means a lot," he said. "There have been a lot of guys who were part of this journey and this team, and it has just been so much fun. "You just do your best every day. It's a challenging football environ‑ ment — the pressure is always on for moments like this, because you have to rise to the occasion." Brady has made it clear he plans to return for the 2019 campaign, even though he'll be 42 years old when it kicks off in September. The NBA CARIS LEVERT RETURNS FROM INJURY The Brooklyn Nets guard finally returned to the court Feb. 8 after a gruesome leg injury suffered in mid‑November that kept him out 42 games. LeVert had a successful night in his first game back, tallying 11 points, five steals and four assists in just 15 minutes of action in a 125‑106 loss to the Chicago Bulls. "I thought he looked good," Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said afterward. "He was athletic, came downhill like he usually does and made some passes. "There were obviously a few bumps here and there, but he was a plus for the most part. Caris had some positives and played well." FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through Feb. 18 • Trey Burke (Played at U-M from 2011-13), PG, Dallas Mavericks: Played in seven of the 33 games he appeared in with the 11‑47 Knicks, before being traded to the 26‑31 Mav‑ ericks Jan. 31 … Appeared in five contests (no starts) for Dallas … Av‑ eraging 20.1 minutes, 11.1 points, 2.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds per contest between the two clubs. • Jamal Crawford (1999-2000), SF, Phoenix Suns: Played in 49 games (no starts) for the 11‑48 Suns … Av‑ eraging 17.6 minutes, 6.4 points and 3.4 assists per outing, while connect‑ ing on 81.7 percent of his free throw attempts. • Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), SF, Dallas Mavericks: Started all 46 showdowns he appeared in with the 11‑47 Knicks, before being traded to the 26‑31 Mavericks Jan. 31 … Started four of five tilts after arriving in Dallas … Averaging 32.2 minutes, 18.8 points, 3.5 boards and 2.6 assists between the two teams this season … Shooting 34.1 percent from be‑ hind the arc and 84.9 percent from the charity stripe. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), SG, Brooklyn Nets: Returned from a leg injury Feb. 8 that had kept him out since mid‑November … Earned the starting nod in 15 of 17 affairs for the 30‑29 Nets. Averaging 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. • Duncan Robinson (2014-18), SF, Miami Heat: Called up Feb. 8 from the 26‑30 Heat's G‑League af‑ filiate in Sioux Falls, S.D., marking his first appearance in an NBA game since Nov. 20 … Competed in just six clashes on the year … Averaging 6.0 minutes, 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. • Glenn Robinson III (2012-14), SF, Detroit Pistons: Started 17 of the 32 contests he has played in with 26‑30 Detroit … Averaging 13.7 min‑ utes, 4.1 points and 1.3 rebounds per outing … Shooting 38.3 percent from the floor and 81.8 percent from the free throw line. • Nik Stauskas (2012-14), SG, Cleveland Cavaliers: Competed in 44 games with the 34‑23 Trail Blaz‑ ers, before being traded to the 12‑46 Cavaliers Feb. 4 … Shipped off to the 33‑24 Houston Rockets Feb. 7 and then the 38‑20 Indiana Pacers the same day, before being waived and signing with Cleveland Feb. 11 … Competed in a total of 46 outings this season … Averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 Brady became the first NFL player ever to be part of six Super Bowl-winning teams during his career. PHOTO BY KEITH NORDSTROM/ COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Tom Brady Makes NFL History