Michigan is getting ready for the national championship next Monday, but the Wolverines can’t outrun the sign-stealing investigation that has hung over their entire season.
After head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the final three games of the regular season, quarterback J.J. McCarthy downplayed the act on Wednesday during a media session and said it was a common practice.
“I’d say a good number, 80 percent of teams in college football steal signs,” McCarthy said. “We actually had to adapt because (in 2019 and 2020), Ohio State was stealing our signs, which is legal.”
McCarthy said the Wolverines simply needed to make the game an even playing field.
Michigan staff member Connor Stalions, who remained at the center of the investigation and resigned in November, attended the Wolverines’ Rose Bowl victory, according to a social media post from former Michigan player Chase Winovich.
J.J. McCarthy says the sign-stealing narrative around Michigan is unfortunate.
"About 80 percent of teams in college football steal signs. We actually had to adapt because in 2019, 2020, Ohio State was stealing our signs — which is legal. We had to get up to the level they were…
— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) January 3, 2024
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