Michigan’s humbling losses ||
The senior is looking ||
forward to showing teams what he can do
By ERICKA P. THOMPSON
Chris Graham is finally feeling good.
After a couple seasons of nagging injuries, the University of Michigan linebacker is free of pain except for “a couple nicks and bruises” and is looking forward to showcasing his talent.
A Warren Central graduate, Graham has been often overlooked even though he’s suited up for the Wolverines for four years due to sporadic playing time. An undersized linebacker (5 feet, 11 inches and 225 pounds), Graham says this is his year to make a statement. He’s a senior, a leader and has trained darn hard to leave his mark.
Unfortunately for him, all the talk so far has been about the Wolverines disastrous start becoming the first ranked team to lose to a Division I-AA club, Appalachian State. Last Saturday’s 39-7 blow out loss to Oregon was the worst for the team since 1968 and the back-to-back losses hadn’t happened since 1959.
However, Graham is confident his team will improve and says he’s still in awe every time he steps into The Big House.
What is going on with the Wolverines?
The past two games we’ve really had our ups and downs. We have a lot of new guys and some don’t have the experience and completely understand what it takes to be out there on the field.
We just have to keep fighting and have the will to win. Right now, as a team we just want to continue playing hard and eliminate the small mistakes we’re having that has cost us games.
How is the team holding up?
We all try to keep (quarterback) Chad (Henne) and (running back) Mike (Hart) grounded because those are the two you mostly see in the media, and people expect them to be perfect. As a team we know that it takes great leadership from everyone. We have to take pressure off them because they can’t carry the entire load.
It’s also key to talk to the younger guys. They don’t really know what it takes to be on the field giving it your all. As veterans we talk to them one on one and help in any way we can because on Saturday we all play together and need each other to win.
Michigan has great fans that want to see you guys win. What’s the reaction to the losses around campus?
It’s about 50-50. You get people who are die-hard fans and want to see you win but understand how hard it is because it’s a new team, and they support us. Then you have your fans that really want you to win and are very disappointed that you’re not winning, and they’re not as supportive.
However, you try not to focus on the fans because it can be distracting. You just try to stay focused with your team and stay positive. You don’t look for support from the fans, you look for support from your team.
Time is flying fast. This is your last year at Michigan. What’s the experience been like and what have you learned about yourself off the field and out of the classroom?
I’m grateful to be at Michigan. I want kids from Indiana to see me as a positive role model because I had a rough start; it wasn’t perfect. I came from an environment where it was your dream to make it but you never thought you would. It really inspired me to want to strive.
It’s a privilege to be at the University of Michigan and I’m trying to show kids back home that they can make it if you strive for success. It’s going to be hard but make sure you have positive role models. Being (at Michigan) has encouraged me to want to give back to home and make sure kids that are less fortunate can know they can make it somewhere – whether it’s at Michigan or another university.
I’ve also matured greatly. This is a great opportunity. Putting on that helmet and wearing Michigan across your chest is amazing. It’s been almost four years and I still haven’t grasped it yet that I stand in that stadium every week.
Any thoughts on the NFL? The Colts love linebackers your size.
The NFL is another privilege that I want to reach and I’m looking forward to reaching that goal. I’ve been playing since the third grade and if I could continue to play I would love it. But I’m going to miss college when it’s over so I’m trying to live it out as much as possible right now.
