What idiot trashed Big Ten football? Let’s get a few things
straight. In this year’s AFC and NFC Championship Games, there were four
starting quarterbacks. And we know, that quarterbacks get the credit for wins
and for losses. In the 2015 NFC championship game, Seattle’s quarterback was Russell Wilson. Mr.
Wilson was the 2011 Big Ten quarterback of the year; a consensus first-team all-Big
Ten and third team All-American. He led the Wisconsin Badgers to a Big Ten
championship and 2012 Rose Bowl victory. His opposing quarterback was Aaron
Rodgers of the Cal Bears. Rogers was a first round draft pick by the Green Bay
Packers and was the Super Bowl champion [XLV]. He was also named the MVP of
that Super Bowl in 2011, as well as the Associated Press Athlete of the Year
.
The Packers won the first half, and were on their way to another
Super Bowl. However, the Seahawks quarterback and his team demonstrated mental
toughness and somehow won the game in overtime 28-22. Congratulations go to
Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
In the AFC championship game, the quarterback Andrew Luck,
interestingly enough, was recruited, and played for none other than Jim
Harbaugh, the Stanford head coach. Quarterback Luck was a runner-up for the
Heisman Trophy in both 2010 in 2011 and was the number one selection in the NFL
draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his first three seasons, Luck played in 4
playoff appearances in four years. He threw the most touchdowns of any NFL
quarterback this year.
His opposing quarterback was none other than Thomas Edward Patrick
Brady Junior. Brady at one time was seventh on the University of Michigan depth
chart. He was a backup quarterback for the first two years and then started
every game in 1998 and 1999 under head coach Lloyd Carr. At Michigan, he set
records for most pass attempts and completions and was all Big Ten honorable
mention in 1998 and 1999 ; and team captain in his senior year. Brady was
selected the 199th pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft.
Many analysts have called Brady the best NFL draft pick of all time.
Tom Brady holds so many NFL records and has many career highlights
and awards. For instance, he has played in and has won more career playoff wins
than any other quarterback. He has won three super bowls and was the Super Bowl
MVP twice. He’s been an AFC champion 6 times, etc. etc. etc. Oh yeah, Brady’s
New England Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 45 to 7. More records for
Brady.
The Big Ten will be
represented in this year’s Super Bowl by two former Big Ten quarterbacks. Not
bad, as I would say. What is neat about that statistic is that it supports that
the Big Ten is alive. Urban Meyer, winning the college national championship
adds to the credibility along with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. On a recent
David Letterman show, Urban Meyer would not say Michigan, but referred to them
as the team up north.
Hats off to Jim Harbaugh as he recruited Andrew Luck, whose future
looks terrific in the NFL. Jim work your magic and get those recruits as you
will need them.
PS
Michigan State, and Wisconsin Big Ten powerhouses did their job too
in this past season’s bowl games.
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