ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No injury was going to keep Michigan football defensive tackle Mason Graham down for long.
The sophomore missed two weeks but returned in Week 6 and led the team in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks, despite having a club on his hand. His fellow teammates took notice.
Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart has gotten to see Graham in action for a short time as a transfer from Coastal Carolina this year, but he’s inspired by Graham’s willingness to go out and play, not just while having an impediment, but to the level he did against Minnesota. His play helps bolster the whole team.
“I feel like this little injury he has, it’s just a little roadblock and he’s showing us that no matter what’s in his way, he’s gonna go right through it,” Stewart said. “And that’s the type of guy he is. That’s just his mindset. He’s not gonna get beat by nobody no matter who’s out there. Playing with one hand he’s gonna give us his all.”
Considering that Graham has a big cast on his left hand protecting his broken thumb, it led Stewart to work out a new nickname, inspired by a legendary Marvel Comics villain who was known for having the infinity gauntlet, also on his left hand.
“I tried to call him Thanos because he has that big club on,” Stewart said. “He just laughed it off. Hopefully, it sticks. Hopefully, he likes it.”
While Stewart is pleased with the nickname he’s donned Graham with, Graham himself isn’t too sure whether or not that will be one that continues past his injury.
“Yeah, no, I don’t know if everyone called me that. I think it was just him,” Graham said. “So maybe he got a little kick out of it. It was pretty funny.”
Given Thanos’ all-powerful, brute strength to go along with the infinity stones he wields, it’s not at all an impractical nickname. Graham should lean into it — at least while he continues to wear the club on his left hand.