If you were on X on Tuesday and you were a college football fan, you might have seen some wild, weird theories being thrown around about a certain someone on the CMU sidelines during a game.
It’s all tied to the Michigan sign-stealing allegations, with reports that a former Marine named Connor Stalions is a “person of interest.” That investigation and those allegations regarding Stalions have broadened to the point where a former D-III coach told ESPN that Stalions hired him to attend “three Big Ten games during the past two years to record the sideline of a future Michigan opponent.”
Sports Illustrated reported on text messages from 2021 in which Stalions referred to sign-stealing. Michigan suspended him as the school waited for the NCAA to finish its investigation.
But let’s get back to this video: Fans have done a Zapruder Film number on video of a man in sunglasses on the sidelines of a Central Michigan game who looks kind of like Stalions.
Let’s break it down:
Fans broke down the videos on Tuesday
This is footage of CMU playing Michigan State earlier this year. The focus is on the man in the sunglasses, who is credentialed for … something:
Is this Connor Stalions in a wig or no? Why sunglasses at night? Hmmmm…… pic.twitter.com/b8XZ6Dr8hJ
— Ricki Tiki (@Space7not8) October 31, 2023
Interesting behavior from guy in same get up on CMU bench.
Players go flying, CS look alike bumps into kicking station + then goes to cover his face, pulls down hat + steps away while everyone else shows concern 4 players, etc.
Same move I’d do if I didn’t want 2 b seen.🤔 pic.twitter.com/TB1ecqTltS— Connor Thee Stallion (@DeShakeitWatson) October 31, 2023
yes, this is Stalions
no, Michigan didn't know
no, CMU didn't know
dude got a sideline pass, arrived in full CMU coaching gear, and snuck into the restricted area pic.twitter.com/64Zf97wETo— mgoblog (@mgoblog) October 31, 2023
CMU announced it was investigating
This would all be nothing … except per ESPN, Central Michigan is looking into it:
Athletic director Amy Folan, in a statement to ESPN, said the school became aware of the photos late Monday. The man resembling Stalions is dressed in Central Michigan-issued gear and standing alongside several of the team’s coaches, while wearing a bench credential.
The credential reads “VB” and appears to be designated for the visiting bench area, which is different than a general sideline pass. It gives access to the designated area between the 20-yard lines, which is reserved for players, coaches, trainers and equipment staff. Schools are given a finite amount of passes for each game.
“We are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them,” Folan’s statement reads. “As this process is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time.”
Could that really be him?
That is Stalions above … and here’s a screengrab from the FS1 broadcast:
The Athletic also obtained more photos of the guy.
NEW: @TheAthletic has obtained more photos of the goatee'd sunglasses person on the Central Michigan sideline at Michigan State.
CMU is looking into whether this is Connor Stalions.
Story: https://t.co/79siEcZ89r pic.twitter.com/R5AyslTIWF
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 31, 2023
Hmm.
