The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/835590
THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 31 Woodson picked up one first down, on an intended double pass — one of his least spectacular, but most important plays of the season, Jansen said. "Instead of throwing it away or forcing something because he's Charles Woodson, he's the Heisman guy, he tucked it and was able to maneuver his way around and get a first down," the captain pointed out. "That was probably bigger than the interception he had at Michigan State. It was probably the biggest play he had all season long. "And it's probably the most unnoticed and un-talked-about play he had that season. If he doesn't get that first down, all of a sud- den you give Ryan Leaf the ball. He was a dangerous playmaker, and who knows what would have happened?" What did happen involved a 21-16 win, a frenzied on-field celebration, Carr's famous locker room declaration of a national title and memories still sweet, two decades later. "I will cherish this day, this game, this university for the rest of my life," said Griese, whose dad, Bob Griese, choked up in the final moments of a memorable broad- cast. "You have opportunities in life, and the people who stand out are the ones who make the most of those opportunities. We had an opportunity today. "In the past 50 years, no Michigan team has won a national championship. This was an opportunity for us. It's sweet for us to capitalize on an opportunity to make his- tory." An Unforgettable Journey Twenty years later, it remains sweet. Win- ning the national championship cemented a legacy that affirms the participants and chal- lenges all that follow. For Carr and his team, it remains an emo- tional achievement. "Those last minutes of those last two games, they never leave you," he said. "Those were the great memories, because of all the things these kids went through — the adversity, losing four games, taking all the things that come with not measuring up with what the Michigan tradition is. "It was great standing down on that field, knowing we had done something special." "The greatest thing about this team is ac- tually the people that are a part of it," Mayes opined. "We won because we had great play- ers, yes. But we had great players because we had great guys. We had great coaches. That's why we had a great team." Steele agreed that the Wolverines featured a special mix in 1997 — just the right one. "This group of guys showed tenacity, heart, accountability," he said. "The war we went through in the offseason … our prac- tices were harder than any game. That's a testament to what we were all about. "You look at it 20 years later, and you see the accomplishments and the routes they took with their lives, their families. It makes it special. I never wanted to believe it, but they say it goes by fast — and it does." Jansen played football at every level, in- cluding a long NFL career. He experienced in 1997 something that proved unique in his football experience. "The thing that really separated that team from other teams I've been on is the chem- istry that we had," he said. "That's easy to say after you've won a championship, be- cause you're obviously closer to those guys through all the success. "But it was really from the top down. I would walk into the full staff meeting room, and not that there weren't ever heated dis- cussions, but you could tell the whole coach- ing staff liked each other. They're ribbing each other, just like I would pick on Mark [Campbell, a tight end] or a rookie. "They're having those types of fun conversations. They cared about each other, they laughed with each other, they got an- gry with each other, they celebrated succes- ses together. It was that chemistry that then trickled down to the fifth-year seniors, the seniors and the rest of the team." The chemistry remains. James Whitley, one of three true freshman defensive backs who contributed significantly that season, marveled at the inspiration he felt inside Crisler Arena during the reunion. "It's almost like we never left that space and time," he said. "The recognition was we've done something super special. That common ground, that commonality, that ca- maraderie, it never left. It's still there. It's that energy. "Energy is one of those things that can't be destroyed. It can only be transferred. It was crazy energy there." As noted, Carr welled up with emotion in speaking of the reunion and this team. He paused for several long seconds, collecting himself. "The old Willie Nelson song, 'Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away?' Twenty years …" he said, his voice trailing off. Carr praised Michigan director of athlet- ics Warde Manuel and everyone associated with putting together the reunion, providing a gathering place for a team of destiny. "We had such a great turnout," Carr said. "It was so joyful. You really appreciated the opportunity to celebrate a special time in all of our lives." It's a time that affects most, if not all, of them even today. "In my life, whenever I've had any tough situation, I think back to the Iowa game," Jansen said. "I was in a tough situation, and this is how we got out of it. I try and apply it to the situation that I'm in. "It has a direct impact on my life on a daily basis." ❏ Twenty years later, U-M's defensive line poses with the team's hardware. The group helped lead the way for the Big Ten's No. 1 unit, in terms of rushing (89.0 yards allowed per game), scoring (9.5 points given up per outing) and total defense (222.8 yards surrendered per contest). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS