Post by rainman on Mar 26, 2008 20:58:29 GMT -5
Ex-Wolverine Boren blasts U-M program: 'Family values have eroded' under Rodriguez
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES • March 26, 2008
ANN ARBOR — Offensive lineman Justin Boren said Wednesday that he’s left the Michigan football team because the program’s “family values have eroded.”
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Boren would have been one of two returning starters on the offensive line and would have been the Wolverines’ most experienced lineman. The junior-to-be started every game last season, either at center or left guard.
Boren left the team Monday. On Wednesday he released a statement saying in part: “Michigan football was a family, built on mutual respect and support for each other from (former) Coach (Lloyd) Carr on down. We knew it took the entire family, a team effort, and we all worked together.
“I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months. ... That I am unable to perform under these circumstances at the level I expect of myself, and my teammates and Michigan fans deserve, is why I have made the decision to leave.”
"I regret leaving behind my friends and teammates, but I need to stand up for what I know is right. I wore the winged helmet with pride, whether we won or (lost), whether things were going well or times were tough.
"That same helmet, that I was raised on and proudly claimed for the last two years, now brings a completely different emotion to me, one that interferes with practicing and playing my best and mentally preparing for what is required. … To those of you outside the program, the loyal Michigan fans and alumni, I know you will have trouble understanding, but I do want to thank you for your years of support. I wish my teammates the best and will always be proud to have been a part of Michigan football over the past two years."
Boren told reporters after Michigan’s first spring practice 10 days ago that adapting to new coach Rich Rodriguez’s no-huddle spread offense was physically challenging. He mentioned the difficulty the offensive linemen had constantly running to the line of scrimmage.
Rodriguez said Tuesday that he would not discuss Boren’s decision.
“I don’t know if we’ll have any more (attrition), but we’re forging ahead with guys that play for Michigan.”
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES • March 26, 2008
ANN ARBOR — Offensive lineman Justin Boren said Wednesday that he’s left the Michigan football team because the program’s “family values have eroded.”
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Boren would have been one of two returning starters on the offensive line and would have been the Wolverines’ most experienced lineman. The junior-to-be started every game last season, either at center or left guard.
Boren left the team Monday. On Wednesday he released a statement saying in part: “Michigan football was a family, built on mutual respect and support for each other from (former) Coach (Lloyd) Carr on down. We knew it took the entire family, a team effort, and we all worked together.
“I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months. ... That I am unable to perform under these circumstances at the level I expect of myself, and my teammates and Michigan fans deserve, is why I have made the decision to leave.”
"I regret leaving behind my friends and teammates, but I need to stand up for what I know is right. I wore the winged helmet with pride, whether we won or (lost), whether things were going well or times were tough.
"That same helmet, that I was raised on and proudly claimed for the last two years, now brings a completely different emotion to me, one that interferes with practicing and playing my best and mentally preparing for what is required. … To those of you outside the program, the loyal Michigan fans and alumni, I know you will have trouble understanding, but I do want to thank you for your years of support. I wish my teammates the best and will always be proud to have been a part of Michigan football over the past two years."
Boren told reporters after Michigan’s first spring practice 10 days ago that adapting to new coach Rich Rodriguez’s no-huddle spread offense was physically challenging. He mentioned the difficulty the offensive linemen had constantly running to the line of scrimmage.
Rodriguez said Tuesday that he would not discuss Boren’s decision.
“I don’t know if we’ll have any more (attrition), but we’re forging ahead with guys that play for Michigan.”
