What do Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and general manager Chris Grier have in common? For starters, both were in attendance at the 2020 Citrus Bowl yesterday, watching Ross’ Michigan Wolverines fall to the Alabama Crimson Tide by a final score of 35-16. Another disappointing bowl performance likely isn’t how Ross would’ve liked to have rung in a new year — but there’s much more at play for Ross and the Dolphins than just rooting for the Wolverines.
Such as potentially the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback of the future. And most assuredly the Dolphins’ 2020 NFL Draft big board — which we’d imagine will be stock full of Crimson Tide prospects.
It isn’t out of the ordinary for general managers and scouting executives to travel to bowl games and get eyeballs on prospects — all these games count and the chance to gauge a passion for the game in a bowl game might just be the best way to do it. But for you to arrive and mingle on the field in the pregame with the owner of the team? That’s unique to say the least. And then you consider the company Miami’s leadership chose to keep during the pregame festivities and may the conspiracy theories fly!
#Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian talks with @MiamiDolphins owner Stephen Ross. Alabama golf legend Jerry Pate talking sports with Ross. And Tua checking out pregame pic.twitter.com/ei1TB44WCB
— Edwin Stanton (@edwinstantonu2) January 1, 2020
Surely no earth shattering secrets were shared on the field before yesterday’s game — but for Ross and Grier to be chatting up the Crimson Tide offensive coordinator indicates Miami’s very intently monitoring the situation in Tuscaloosa regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. And no matter what the quarterback decides to do this offseason, Miami was treated to a show by the Tide’s offensive star power — which will give them plenty to think about in the coming months as the team finalizes their 2020 NFL Draft plans.
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