Former Super Bowl Champion Keyshawn Johnson Gives a Wake-Up Call to “Slow Down” to Big 10 Amidst Jim Harbaugh Incident

As in many other domains, signals and codes play a vital role in maintaining order and preserving strategies in the world of football. The NCAA has stringent rules against ‘sign stealing,’ and several individuals have faced sanctions for violating regulations aimed at safeguarding the confidential play calling of specific teams. Michigan’s coaching staff is the latest addition to the list of those accused of stealing signs from the sideline. 

The polarizing nature of the rules pertaining to sign stealing makes the affair rather curious where, according to Skip Bayless, “Everyone has been guilty to some extent.” With the organization along with the Bif 10 gearing up for verdict, the latest episode of ‘Undisputed’ takes up the matter at hand to hand out the host’s perspective. 

Keyshawn Johnson’s message to the Big 10

Unlike the NFL, the NCAA does not allow helmet signaling, which could wipe out the requirement of signaling from the sidelines and in effect irradiate the possibilities of sign stealing. Concerning the Michigan sign-stealing scandal, Skip Bayless posed a question, “What should the Big 10 do as we speak?” The Former Super Bowl Champion answered, almost instantly, “Slow down!” Let the due process play itself out, is what he suggested. According to him, it is unfair to make an important decision, ‘an emotional decision’, based on just a few weeks of investigation. With only three games left in the season and a conference that could make it to the playoffs, the former NFL champion suggests that the Big 10 hold their horses and let the tide roll out. 

If they “pull the trigger too early” they could adversely affect the football team concerned. And though the investigation came down hard on Michigan, they were not the only teams involved in such actions. However, Johnson opines, “Does it smell dirty to me? Yeah, but let it play out.” Michigan’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh has had an impressive winning and coaching record in the past, with many players under his wing making it to the NFL as first-round picks. The coach has already missed a few games during the start of the 2023 season due to self-imposed suspension, any more ‘punishment’ can cause undesired repercussions in the team’s holistic performance.   

The Michigan sign-stealing scandal  

The NCAA guidelines state, “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.” It is only considered illegal when stolen signs are electronically mitigated to players or coaches or acquired through improper means like video equipment. However, reading of signs from the sidelines is allowed. Connor Stalions, a former Michigan football coaching staff member, has been accused of buying tickets to over 30 games held at 12 out of the 13 other Big Ten stadiums. These tickets were reportedly for games involving College Football Playoff contenders and future opponents of the Wolverines. Stallions subsequently stepped down from his office, citing that he did not wish to cause any further distraction to the team or the players.

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The Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has been accused of multiple NCAA violations, including Level II infractions for holding practices with too many coaches, contacting recruits during the COVID-19 freeze, and holding unauthorized practice recordings. Additionally, he faces a Level I violation for misleading officials and non-cooperation. Will the Big 10 take further harsh suspension decisions? How will it affect the Wolverines? Let us know your opinion in the comments below. 

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