After watching the “Signal Stealer” documentary on Netflix about Connor Stalions, I’ve come to at least one conclusion: The previous Michigan staffer is basically clever – and a narcissistic egomaniac.
In the long run, the irony of your complete story is that his lifelong dream of bringing Michigan again to glory may need blown up in his face and due to his actions it might carry this system disgrace. On the very least, there are much more questions on what was precisely happening there.
I don’t know what then-coach Jim Harbaugh knew or didn’t know. A part of me thinks Harbaugh fell in love with Stalions’ navy background and laser-focus on doing what’s greatest for the Wolverines. A part of me thinks that Harbaugh beloved the data and the intel and didn’t wish to know or didn’t care the place it got here from.
Believable deniability is a superb weapon to have once you’re attempting to win a nationwide championship in your alma mater earlier than parlaying that into one more run on the Tremendous Bowl, the sport’s final prize and the one Harbaugh covets most.
I don’t know what Harbaugh actually knew or what Sherrone Moore or Jesse Minter or any of the assistants knew. And not using a smoking gun (and who is aware of what the NCAA present in its investigation) that is all conjecture.
I do know when Stalions pointed his finger up within the sky and yelled one thing towards Ohio State that a number of gamers motioned the identical manner. I do know that Stalions was connected to Minter usually and that’s not often the case for somebody who’s only a recruiting staffer. I do know Harbaugh and Moore on at the very least one event had Stalions shut by and Harbaugh took his headset off to hearken to what Stalions mentioned.
I do know it as a result of it’s on video. I noticed it with my very own two eyes.
And that’s the place this documentary additionally was irritating – as a result of Stalions appeared to not come clean with something and acted like every little thing he did was as a result of he was smarter than everybody else, craftier than everybody else, extra devoted than everybody else.
“I don’t remorse a factor,” Stalions mentioned. “… I might do the identical factor over once more.”
You’re both associated to Stalions (his dad in contrast him to Dustin Hoffman‘s character in Rain Man) or a diehard Michigan fan should you imagine his protection on this documentary that he didn’t do something unsuitable.
He mentioned in the course of the NCAA interview that he by no means directed somebody to go to an opponent’s recreation, that household/pals/helpers taped some parts of video games and despatched that to him however he by no means used it as a result of he already knew the indicators of the groups. Yeah, he was that good.
It’s arduous to swallow that Stalions couldn’t recall being on the sidelines of the Central Michigan–Michigan State recreation (in fact he was) however that he had such a Rain Man-like mind he might crack the code so simply. Come on. Stalions even held up the well-known image of him standing on the sidelines of that recreation and mentioned:
“I don’t even assume this man appears like me,” with a smirk.
Stalions is clearly a shiny man however don’t insult our intelligence.
After following this story for practically a yr now and watching this documentary, it’s clear Stalions felt like he was on a mission – for Michigan to win a nationwide championship and return to nationwide glory – and that no matter it took to get there can be performed. His “exploit the principles” remark in the course of the doc was telling. He had a manifesto that ran tons of of pages. He had this unusual pipe dream that he was going to be Michigan’s coach someday.
Harbaugh in all probability used him as an efficient pawn.
Both Harbaugh had an inkling that one thing appeared askew (how might one man be so adept at getting each staff’s indicators down pat?) and didn’t wish to know or fortunately turned a blind eye as a result of he and his workers have been getting good intel.
The opposite situation is that Harbaugh actually thought due to Stalions’ navy background within the Navy and the Marines that he gave the Wolverines some sort of intelligence edge. Harbaugh is quirky and perhaps thought Stalions was simply so good at this.
But when Harbaugh (or Minter, or any variety of different assistants that left city after the title) thought Stalions was so invaluable and so clear, why didn’t they take him with them? It’s nearly like somebody was clever to what was taking place and so they wished no a part of the aftermath.
Win the title and take an NFL job. The Michigan devoted will love Harbaugh endlessly and defend no matter was taking place in Ann Arbor. Or be like Minter – get employed by Harbaugh to be the defensive coordinator of the Chargers and reply to nobody about what he knew or didn’t knew in regards to the man who by no means received a stolen signal unsuitable. Let Stalions take the autumn for what he allegedly did although your complete program profited.
Two issues might be true directly: Michigan was the very best staff within the nation – and the Wolverines had an unfair benefit due to what Stalions did. That’s the ironic factor: Stalions didn’t must cheat for Michigan to dominate.
By NCAA guidelines, it doesn’t even matter if Harbaugh knew: He was the top of this system so he’s answerable for everybody within the constructing.
Most of this needs to be found out in due time. Michigan has obtained its discover of allegations from the NCAA. However lots of the key figures who have been in this system at the moment are gone, off to larger and higher. Harbaugh and crew are off to the NFL. Moore is now the top coach. Stalions is the defensive coordinator at Mumford Excessive in Detroit, ever hear of it?
Stalions’ alleged actions whereas attempting to make Michigan a nationwide participant once more simply introduced extra scrutiny and inquiries to the proud program.
A part of me doesn’t even assume Stalions cares or understands it. If this wasn’t about him, he wouldn’t have proven up on the Barstool set on the Michigan-Ohio State recreation to slide Dave Portnoy, Michigan Man, a be aware. Or attend that recreation secretly. Or present up on the nationwide championship. He wished the eye, craved it. Fame might be the nice elixir.
Probably the most ironic half is that Michigan was adequate to win the nationwide championship with out Stalions. Didn’t want him in any respect. He was an excellent signal stealer (legally) and clearly cared about making an impression with the Wolverines by utilizing his navy previous to use it to Michigan profitable video games. He clearly has a lifelong love of this system.
However then issues went manner too far and if the allegations are true, he cheated to win. That’s the worst factor in sports activities. Perhaps individuals contained in the constructing performed dumb as a result of the data was too good. Harbaugh and his workers both needed to assume Stalions was a soccer savant or one thing was up. Why discover out the reality?
“I’m hardly ever unsuitable,” Stalions mentioned when it got here to choosing up indicators.
After Harbaugh gave Stalions a recreation ball when Michigan beat Iowa, Harbaugh made an informal remark: “Don’t get the massive head, Connor.”
Perhaps that’s precisely what Stalions did. Skirted the NCAA guidelines for unfair benefit whether or not it mattered to the Wolverines or not. He mentioned within the documentary that if he’s a foul man then everybody in school soccer is a foul man. Not true.
Even when Michigan raised the nationwide championship trophy like he had all the time dreamed, in the long run, Scallions is the last word loser.
