The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2017 BY CHRIS BALAS T o be the best, you've got to beat the best … or in John Lott's case, compete against one of them every day in practice until you get there. The former Michigan cornerback and captain out of Youngstown, Ohio, received his on-field education com- pliments of one of the best to ever wear the winged helmet in wide re- ceiver Anthony Carter, and it helped him become one of the Big Ten's bet- ter defensive backs by the time he became an upperclassman. Lott and Carter came in together in 1979, both very highly regarded preps. Carter played significantly as a freshman, while Lott redshirted and prepped for his opportunity by covering his classmate in practice. Four years later, both had made their marks as Wolverine greats. "That's how I got good," Lott said. "I covered him every day. Every day was a game for me, because if he made a spectacle of me, I would never get a shot. I knew I had to play to the highest degree." Head coach Bo Schembechler doc- umented in his 1989 biography just how good Carter was out of the gate; how the sure-handed frosh would of- ten have to slow down and come back for balls others would catch in stride. The lanky receiver got the best of Lott initially, he admitted, but he learned. "One of our spring games they threw a short pass to him. I was on the wide side to the right, he was on far side and got loose … I don't know if it was adrenaline or what, but I had the angle on him and I caught him," Lott recalled. "But I was so hyped up getting there, when I got there, that little slimy rascal cut back. I should have slowed down and pinned him to sideline, but I didn't do it, he gave me a little wiggle and cut back, and I was like, 'Aw, hell.' "As a I matured through the years and got to my senior year and fifth year, he came and gave me respect. He got to the point where he was say- ing, 'You guys know the routes!' I'd say, 'No … we just know how to keep you in check.' Other teams didn't have the benefit of studying him ev- ery day or they might have been able to slow him down … not stop him, but slow him down." Lott became a contributor on the field early in his career, playing key minutes as a redshirt freshman on the 1980 Big Ten championship team. The defense didn't allow a touch- down over the last five games of the year and won the Rose Bowl, Schem- bechler 's first, after a rocky start to the season. Defensive captain Andy Cannavino earned Schembechler's respect as one of his best ever leaders after the senior changed his approach, leading a dra- matic turnaround. Lott took it all in and realized early he wanted to be a similar personality. "I remember watching the election process with Andy Cannavino, Ron Simpkins and those guys and think- ing, 'I want to be a captain,'" he said. "I remember in my heart, burning like fire because of the pride that came with it. Part of it was just doing what you do and remaining focused, but that being said, the work ethic … you had to work hard. "Back then, they were recruiting players just to keep other teams from getting players, and you're not see- ing these players until you get there. You're like, 'Who is this, and where did this guy come from?' It almost puts you into overachiever status … selling out that last breath just getting your work in. That was just the way I patterned myself — to hustle — and I didn't care what anyone else did." So Lott started showing up early at practices and committing to extra film sessions. Teammates would come to him for advice, and his coaches would lean on him to help keep oth- ers in line. In his last year, Lott earned the right WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Cornerback And Captain John Lott Led The 1983 Big Ten Champs Lott has served as a professional counselor and administrator for more than 20 years, and has become a leader in his field. PHOTO COURTESY JOHN LOTT