The Wolverine

He's heard from countless people about how his family's persever- ance through tragedy has encour- aged them in their own lives. He's worked with kids and adults whose lives have been touched by both his story and the faith that helped guide him through the darkest days. "We're told there is going to be good that comes from this, as bad as it is," Mealer said. "God doesn't cause things like this, but as bad as it is, He will cause good things to come from it. "My family has seen so many encouraging things that have happened. Brock is one of them, obviously — just a miracle." That miracle, he noted, serves as an adrenaline injec- tion any time he's tempted to allow his circumstance to weigh heavily. "He's reminded of our story every day, when he wakes up in the morning and has to face obstacles just get- ting out of bed," Mealer said. "When I think about Brock, I think about the fact that he has to face that story every day. bechler Hall, Mealer engenders up- roarious laughter — a sure sign of healing. He reportedly does a side-splitting impression of Hoke himself, one that even the head coach feels compelled to request at various junctures. "He's called me up a few times," Mealer acknowledged. "He's sat down in my chair and had me do his routine when he walks in. It's just at Mealer Not Living On The Razor's Edge Bound by a promise to Navy SEALs to keep his bountiful beard throughout the football season, Elliott Mealer has endured sweat, sand and anything else that col- lected in his now-famous facial hair. He originally didn't think he'd be standing alone, but others opted for a smooth-shaven look. U-M's fifth-year senior center noted teammates Stephen Hopkins and Brendan Gibbons each sported significant beards at one point, but eventu- ally succumbed to Gil- lette, and not the for- mer U-M placekicker. U-M head coach Brady Hoke insists he couldn't challenge Mealer's prowess in beard growing, even if he wanted to: "No — not even close. "So if it's me, maybe talk- ing about it in interviews, I know he's facing it in a com- pletely different way. We've kind of encouraged each other, helped each other move on with a smile on our face. That's inspiring to me, when I think about Brock, and the way he approaches things. "He's faced with a much worse Mealer has become known around Schembechler Hall for his very full beard and also for his impression of Brady Hoke, which even the head coach requests on occasion. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL circumstance than doing interviews. When I see that, I think, you know what? He's smiling, and going to work. Why can't I do the same thing?" Mealer does, and produces more than a few smiles in others. He draws strength from his family, and says he's closer than ever to brothers Brock and Blake, as well as his mom. He remains close with many friends back home, including the Richer fam- ily. He's ready to give acting a try, al- though he eventually sees himself settling down into a teaching/coach- ing role. And instead of garnering furtive, sympathetic glances inside Schem- "I'll get up there and do it. I've got to make up a skit in my head, but it's usually pretty funny. I'll just go up there and exaggerate what he says. He knows he does it, and he's great about it. He laughs. That's one of the great things about him — he can laugh at himself. It makes it fun." Mealer is having fun these days. It's what Hoke always reminded for- mer head coach Lloyd Carr to do be- fore each Michigan game. It's what David Mealer told his son about playing football with his teammates. Elliott Mealer isn't missing one moment, even while taking time to arrange for one extra ticket. u random times, I never know when it's coming, just when he feels like laughing, I guess — he'll come in and point to me. Jeremy Gallon on his scarce fa- cial hair: "I've been trying to grow a beard for 22 years, and this is all I've got. I don't think I'd win any chal- lenge from anybody. beat me. His beard is so full. I've tried growing my beard for about three months, and it gets scraggly. His is so full. It's really nice — it's a great beard. Senior Craig Roh: "No, he would " Ryan on Mealer's beard: "Amazing. In one word, amazing. Senior quarterback Denard Rob- inson: "I love his beard. I enjoy see- ing it. Once he started growing it, I was like, 'Man, you've got to keep going with it. Sophomore linebacker Jake " " got. I'm trying to grow it out right now, and I can't get anything. "I can't [compete]. This is all I've " ' — John Borton OCTOBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 31 Redshirt junior wide receiver mates had this to say about any hair-raising challenges to the trig- german of the U-M of- fense … Meanwhile, team- "

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