This Wolverine Bummed About Braxton Miller

The disclosure of the injury to Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, reinjuring his throwing shoulder in practice on Monday, and now declared “out for the season” has really-really bummed me out. I know, this will be devastating to the National Title chances for the Big Bad Buckeyes — who true Michigan fans deplore. But dang — when it comes to injuries, you need to take the “hated rival” bit right out of the equation. I feel so bad for this kid who had missed all of spring practice after what was termed “minor, outpatient surgery” on his right shoulder and everybody thought he would be ready to go. And now he is out the entire season.

I just don’t think the general public is close to realizing how much work — countless hours of off-season training, for example — that goes into the “final product” of being a college football player to the caliber of a Braxton Miller. Shoot, I don’t think people even realize how much demand there is on high school football players and their off season training these days either. The winter workouts, 6 a..m. — most people are flat-out clueless what is required. This Miller kid kid is so talented with a stellar combo of great feet and a tremendous arm. As disheartening as it was to watch Miller carve up the Michigan defense last November with 3 TD runs not to mention his two TD aerials — one of 53 yards to Devin Smith which was an absolute “perfect throw.” — you had to marvel at it. I know- I know — Michigan fan cynics (and other Buckeye “disdain-ers) will declare “Hey, it couldn’t happen to a better team.” But to me — from a fan’s perspective — any injury is really really bad. I hope MIller returns to OSU for a medical red-shirt year in 2015, although I am willing to bet he will just rehab and throw his hat in the NFL Draft ring instead. And that is college football’s loss — regardless what school you support .