Michigan will take the field for Saturday’s opener against ECU without coach Jim Harbaugh, who is set to begin a self-imposed three-game suspension for alleged recruiting infractions.
Though the two-time defending Big Ten champs may be without their sideline leader, one of their leaders on the field is making sure Harbaugh’s name doesn’t go forgotten as the 2023 season gets underway.
Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy proudly led his team off the bus Saturday morning while wearing a makeshift “Free Harbaugh” t-shirt. The team’s starting signal-caller wasn’t the only one to rep his suspended coach as a number of other players were seen rocking various pieces of clothing with Harbaugh’s name front and center.
#Michigan has arrived. pic.twitter.com/7pfkJUZERW
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) September 2, 2023
McCarthy didn’t leave the shirt in the locker room when he got off the bus. A bit later in the morning, the junior quarterback was seen out on the field in the Big House, warming up with custom apparel still on.
J.J. McCarthy is wearing a "FREE HARBAUGH" shirt while warming up for Michigan 〽️👀 pic.twitter.com/tKbCQEsMj6
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 2, 2023
Given the fact that Harbaugh willingly placed the suspension upon himself after negotiations with the NCAA over a punishment fell apart, college football media members and fans naturally found themselves a bit confused by McCarthy’s bold outfit choice, leading to quite a few hilarious reactions on social media. Here are some of the best.
lmao be forreal with those free Harbaugh shirts https://t.co/lWuxWZS5IY
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) September 2, 2023
This is hilarious when you consider that Harbaugh’s ban was self imposed! #GoBlue https://t.co/vdQSxCaZne
— Dylan Wilkerson (@wilkersonadylan) September 2, 2023
JJ McCarthy, the most Zen of all Zen football players, woke up this morning and chose violence. https://t.co/vTpRGiJfFD
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) September 2, 2023
Blind loyalty for the guy who keeps trying to leave but fails the nfl interviews https://t.co/ALXKc7cQ4h
— Always Irish ☘️ (@AlwaysIrishINC) September 2, 2023
Let’s have an honest moment here folks…can we agree this is lame? https://t.co/4h7jYprKVl
— Carter Elliott (@CarterElliott__) September 2, 2023
JJ looks like he would be in the bully friend group from karate kid https://t.co/oPxiEKHWOv
— Brutus Wayne™ (@BuckeyeBat) September 2, 2023
Think one of these just became a t-shirt https://t.co/kO5oQKHqZQ
— Cooper Petagna (@cpetagna247) September 2, 2023
someone help my eyes have rolled into the back of my skull https://t.co/h2yKCtohYS
— Ryan Mathews (@Ryan_POD) September 2, 2023
