Writing the Pine

I’ve waited about two years to write this article, so bear with me if I go on and on about my hatred for such a traitor.

Your father played football under Bo in the 60’s.  You grew up a Michigan fan while living in enemy territory, and you committed to play for the University of Michigan. You and Schilling , both four and five star recruits respectively, came to Michigan side by side, hoping to be the next great Michigan tandem of guard and tackle. When you weren’t redshirted freshmen year and started multiple games, I saw the future.  One of the staples of being a Michigan lineman is getting redshirted and getting acclimated to the difference in power and speed of the college game. Hutchinson, Runyan, Jansen, Bass, and Long were all redshirted.  In those names you have two of the highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL and multiple Pro Bowlers. I knew from that instance you were destined to follow up on those lines. But instead I call you a snake.

You left the program.  You abandoned our new coach.  And for goodness sake, you went to the school down there.  Maybe it was to piss everybody off, or maybe it was you thinking it was “my best career move” but how dare you.

How dare you have the audacity to wear scarlet and grey.  How dare you long for a second rate education.  How dare you wear those ugly decals.  The one characteristic that makes every passionate fan credible is their loyalty.  Through thick and thin, a fan’s “FANHOOD” is based on his loyalty to the team he cheers.  And that’s from a FAN.  But for a player, how do you even comprehend changing sides?  You wore maize and blue when you grew up, your father wore maize and blue, but now you’re just a scarlet and red snake.

If you’re going to walk away from something, walk away with class.  Give the right reasons.  Michigan gave you the opportunity to become the best lineman you could ever be.  Andy Moeller was one of the country’s best linemen coaches. His pedigree for sending kids to the NFL speaks for itself.  Michigan gave you the opportunity of a lifetime, but you spit right back in its face. You question the integrity of Coach Rodriguez. What about your integrity? How dare you.

Let me ask you this: is your career better after this transfer?  Do you see all these scouts proclaiming that you have guaranteed first-round status?  Absolutely not.  At Michigan, you could’ve lined up with Schilling and Molk and made the most formidable inside offensive line in the Big Ten.

But instead you’re at that school.

Snake move Boren.  I hope you pay for it Saturday.