The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
and all these things have turned me into a true Michigan Man and given me the ability to carry on these traditions for the rest of my life." Tight end Dylan Esterline Hoke on Esterline: "He is one of those guys you don't read about in the paper. You don't see out there on the field from week to week. He came to Michigan as a walk-on and did a tremendous job day in and day out of preparing our football team." Esterline: "It really an honor to have spent four years as a member of the winningest football team in college football history. As Coach Hoke kindly put it, my career here hasn't exactly went the way I wanted it to go. But overall, I wouldn't change anything. This program has instilled me with a lot of positive traits and characteristics, and I have been blessed to be a part of it." "I especially want to thank my dad. Even though in four years, I only played in a handful of games, he never even considered missing a game. He had surgery this morning, and he somehow found a way to make it to be here for me tonight." I wouldn't change it for anything. I love you all like brothers. "I'd like to give special thanks to Desmond Howard for letting me wear his jersey. It's been a blessing to be able to honor someone as great as him." Placekicker Brendan Gibbons Hoke on Gibbons: "He made a ton of big kicks: the Sugar Bowl, Michigan State, Northwestern with one second left. If you noticed, a lot of kickers like to take their time and get nice and lined up. We didn't let him do that, but it didn't matter." Gibbons: "The coaching staff sup- Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon Hoke on Gallon: "Jeremy obviously had his best year as a senior. The way I always judged Jeremy was how he blocked. Because catching balls is fun and easy, but getting in front of a guy and taking him down the field is what Jeremy took a lot of pride in." Gallon: "My teammates, Team 134, it has been a blast with you all, and Placekicker Brendan Gibbons thanked the Michigan coaches for the opportunity to play football and the school for providing him with a great education. Photo by Per Kjeldsen