Arr! Me hearties! A grand benefactor from Michigan be denying he be the scurvy dog 'Uncle T', accused o' fundin' a sign-thievin' gang!
2023-11-17
Arrr! The NCAA claims they be providing evidence to Michigan, mateys, hintin' at a program booster who may have funded these scallywags involved in the sign-stealin' operation, as per Yahoo Sports! Blimey!
In a twist worthy of a swashbuckling pirate tale, Michigan businessman Tim Smith finds himself at the center of a sign-stealing scandal involving the Michigan Wolverines athletics program. Known among his fellow boosters as the head of a Detroit-based engineering solutions company, Smith has vehemently denied being "Uncle T," the mysterious donor who allegedly contributed financially to the sign-stealing scheme.Smith's name was floated as the potential scapegoat for the scandal, but he insists that he had no involvement in any financial transactions with former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions, who is believed to have benefited directly from the scheme. Smith claims that he has never been referred to as "Uncle T" and that he learned he was kicked off the Champions Circle, an NIL collective for Michigan athletics, just recently.
According to Smith, he has had conversations with Stalions since Stalions left his job with Michigan football, but he denies being close personal friends with him. Smith maintains that he simply knew Stalions "as well as any other [football] staff person." Stalions allegedly informed Smith that the sign-stealing effort was funded by the money he made from selling a house.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the scandal continues, with Michigan's linebackers coach Chris Partridge being dismissed from his position. The university did not specify whether Partridge's removal was connected to the ongoing sign-stealing scandal. Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Wolverines, has already agreed to accept a three-game suspension, effectively canceling a scheduled hearing on his potential coaching eligibility for the remainder of the regular season.
As this pirate-worthy tale of scandal and intrigue unfolds, the Michigan Wolverines and their boosters are left to grapple with the repercussions of their alleged sign-stealing operation. Only time will tell how this story ends, and whether the truth behind "Uncle T" and the financial transactions will be revealed.