Once, a program that was the gold standard of college has now found itself in never-ending talks of cheating scandals. Almost two years have gone by since the NCAA started investigating Michigan for their alleged sign-stealing scandal. Yes, they have constantly denied the allegations. But the damage has already been done. No matter how much they defend themselves, people still bring up the cheating scandal whenever they hear Michigan. Just take the example of American radio host Howard Eskin the moment he heard Michigan from one of their alumni. He was quick to mention the cheating, which, of course, their former player instantly denied.

Hopping on the Howard Eskin Show, 2-time Super Bowl Champion Brandon Graham was just going about how he would never root for anybody else other than his Michigan team. That’s when Eskin mentioned, “I can’t believe they are fighting over the cheating they did.” Well, hearing the word cheating about his once beloved Wolverines. Graham was quick to stand up and squash any kind of talk about cheating. “Hey, man, let me tell you we do no cheating, man.”

See, no matter how much Graham denies Michigan didn’t cheat or can’t ever cheat. One of Jim Harbaugh’s members of the Michigan coaching staff, Connor Stalions, did get caught red-handed by the NCAA. Why? Because he purchased tickets to more than 30 games in his own name just to study the signs of 10 different Big Ten schools. Like he covertly continued an operation for 3 years that involved studying the hand signals of opposition coaches to gain an unfair advantage in future games.

And apparently, he wasn’t alone. NCAA, in their investigation, believes Stalions also used to send his friends and family to different games as part of his master plan. You know what’s the irony in this? When NCAA investigators came calling asking Conner his 2 cents about the scandal. He quipped, “did not recall” attending a specific game. Like how would you expect to remember anyway? 30 games in 3 years is too much to remember, and it’s not like he had to answer the scores of those games. He would have to explain the hand signals, which, of course, requires a sharper memory.

Conner, for one, clearly didn’t have one. Or he never would have started this operation to steal signs anyway. With Graham clearly standing up for his team no matter how grave the allegations are, it seems there’s a former Bolt who wants the NCAA to punish Michigan if found guilty.

Former Chargers linebacker wants NCAA to serve justice

See, the NCAA still hasn’t given its verdict on the Michigan sign scandal. That’s why former Ohio State alum Joshua Perry wants the NCAA to do what’s right if Michigan, in the end, is found guilty of the charges. “I know the NCAA doesn’t like to punish current players for mistakes made in the past. But I missed out on a chance to win a national title in 2012. I do not care. We are grown. We can handle it. There should be scholarship reductions. I think there should be financial fines as well.” While the NCAA has yet to reach the end of its investigation. They did find out there was no connection between Stallions and then-Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.

At the height of investigations, he also made it clear, “Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson, I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams I’ve coached. No one’s perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right.” Well, Perry has clearly pointed out that an apology won’t work; there will be repercussions if they are found guilty as charged. However, for now, Michigan doesn’t know what’s gonna happen in the future.

So, until their name gets cleared or they are found guilty—for that matter. The Wolverines will have to continue fighting these allegations. Whether it’s in front of the media, on the gridiron or anywhere else, just to keep their program away from baseless allegations—which, of course, they believe. Like have you ever seen a thief owning up to his mistakes, saying, ‘Yes, I am guilty, where’s the punishment?’ No, right? So, why are everyone surprised that Michigan is doing the same?