Donovan Edwards On Expectations For Season, Ohio State, EA Sports, More | Michigan At B1G Media Days

Summary

In this inspiring transcript, a player from the University of Michigan speaks passionately about the appointment of the first African-American head coach, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication regardless of race. He shares his personal journey, including overcoming challenges and the impact of his single father, and discusses the importance of being a leader and a good person both on and off the field. The player also reflects on his experiences with EA Sports and the significance of representing his team and program with integrity.

Takeaways

• 🏈 The speaker is excited about the first African-American head coach at the University of Michigan, emphasizing the importance of hard work and achievement regardless of race.
• 🌟 The speaker believes in the new head coach's ability to succeed, highlighting his experience through both good and bad times at the university.
• 👥 The speaker mentions the departure of some position coaches but expresses confidence in the new coaches, who are described as 'Michigan men' upholding the university's standards.
• 🔄 The speaker discusses the importance of not changing one's identity, using USC's transition to the Big Ten as an example, and stresses the need to play one's own brand of football.
• 👨‍👦 The impact of the speaker's father, a single parent, is highlighted as a significant influence on who the speaker is today, showing deep respect and admiration.
• 📚 The speaker advocates for continuous learning and being well-rounded, emphasizing the importance of education beyond just academics.
• 🤔 The speaker dismisses the importance of outside opinions, focusing on the support and understanding of those within their immediate environment.
• 💪 The speaker feels a strong obligation to be a leader and to represent the program well, using the example of being chosen for a video game cover.
• 🧘 The speaker discusses personal growth and overcoming internal struggles, including seeking therapy and learning to manage expectations.
• 🏆 The speaker is determined to help the team win, focusing on the importance of teamwork and the willingness to support teammates in their success.
• 🙏 The speaker concludes with a message of unity and striving for righteousness, aiming to uplift others and promote better individual behavior.

Q & A

Who is the first African-American head coach in Michigan history?

The transcript does not provide the specific name of the first African-American head coach at the University of Michigan, but it mentions that the speaker is excited and blessed to have him as the head coach.

What is the speaker's perspective on the support for the head coach?

The speaker mentions that there are many supporters of Kos Mo and people who are determined not to let him down. As a player, the speaker also commits to not letting him down.

How does the speaker view the head coach's early games?

The speaker believes that the first few games under the new head coach were a glimpse of his career at the University of Michigan, indicating a positive outlook on his tenure.

What does the speaker think about the head coach's message on hard work and achievement?

The speaker appreciates the head coach's message that through hard work, anyone can achieve anything regardless of their color, emphasizing that this is a beautiful thing.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between the head coach and the team?

The speaker sees no difference in personality between the new head coach and Coach Harbo, but notes that the philosophy is the same. The speaker also mentions that the new coaches are living up to the standard set by the team.

What is the speaker's view on the impact of the head coach's experience at Michigan?

The speaker believes that the head coach's experience through both good and bad times at Michigan makes him well-prepared for his role and that he knows exactly what to do.

What does the speaker think about the importance of being a leader on the team?

The speaker feels a great obligation to be a leader on the team, emphasizing that it's important for all players to grow, be humble, and be grateful for opportunities like being on the EA video game.

How does the speaker describe the influence of his father on his life?

The speaker's father was a single father who raised him and his brother while working two jobs and going to school. The speaker admires and respects his father greatly, considering him a hero.

What is the speaker's approach to learning and education?

The speaker is a big believer in always learning and not just mastering one craft but many. He emphasizes the importance of being worldly educated and not just focused on school books.

How does the speaker feel about the public's opinion and support?

The speaker is not bothered by what people say or write about them. He cares more about the bond with the people in the program and the support they receive, rather than public opinion.

What is the speaker's perspective on being on the cover of the EA game?

The speaker feels very grateful to be chosen by EA for the cover of the game. He sees it as an obligation to represent the program and to be a leader among his team.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 First African-American Head Coach at Michigan

The speaker discusses the significance of having the first African-American head coach at the University of Michigan, emphasizing the support and excitement surrounding this milestone. They reflect on the coach's early games and the impact he has had, highlighting his belief in hard work and achievement regardless of race. The speaker also touches on the continuity of philosophy with previous coaches and the importance of maintaining the team's standards. Additionally, they mention the challenges of facing a talented USC team and the importance of preparation and performance.

05:02

🤔 Dealing with Public Opinion and Personal Growth

The speaker addresses the importance of focusing on the support within their immediate community rather than external opinions. They discuss the role of players as leaders and the responsibility to grow and be humble. The speaker also mentions their experience with EA Sports and the opportunity to be on the cover of a video game, expressing gratitude for the recognition. They reflect on their personal journey, including struggles with expectations and the importance of self-improvement, ultimately choosing to 'get better' rather than being complacent.

10:03

💪 Embracing Teamwork and Personal Development

The speaker talks about the importance of being durable and the physical demands of being a running back. They express a desire to be a team player, willing to share carries and opportunities with other teammates. The speaker also discusses the importance of rhythm in a game and how it affects performance. They highlight their commitment to personal growth, seeking therapy and self-reflection to overcome challenges. The speaker also mentions their interactions with other players and the bonds they have formed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these relationships.

15:05

🤝 Brotherhood and the Path to Success

The speaker emphasizes the bond and brotherhood among players, regardless of where they end up in their careers. They discuss their ongoing communication with former teammates and the respect they have for each other. The speaker also reflects on the coaching they have received and how it has shaped them into the men they are today. They express a strong determination to win every game in the upcoming season, focusing on improvement and preparation for each match, including the rivalry against Ohio State.

Keywords

💡African-American head coach

This term refers to the first black individual to hold the position of head coach in the history of Michigan's sports teams. It is a significant milestone, highlighting progress in diversity and inclusion within the institution. The script mentions this achievement as a 'beautiful thing' and a testament to the idea that hard work can lead to success regardless of one's race.

💡Supporters

Supporters in this context are individuals who back the head coach, Kos Mo, expressing their commitment to not let him down. This term underscores the sense of community and solidarity among the team and its fans, which is vital for the team's morale and performance.

💡Philosophy

The philosophy mentioned in the script refers to the shared beliefs and principles that guide the team's approach to the game, regardless of changes in coaching staff. It signifies the continuity and consistency in the team's strategy and values.

💡Michigan Man

This term is used to describe individuals who are deeply connected to and proud of the University of Michigan. It implies a strong sense of identity and loyalty. In the script, it is used to emphasize that despite changes in the coaching staff, the new coaches are committed to upholding the standards of the university.

💡Humble

Humble in the script is used to describe the attitude of Coach Moore, suggesting that he maintains a modest and grounded demeanor despite his achievements. It reflects the importance of humility in leadership and personal growth.

💡Success

Success in this context is tied to the achievements and aspirations of the team and its individual members. It is a central theme of the video, with the speaker expressing excitement for the head coach and the team's potential for success, as well as personal aspirations for growth and development.

💡Preparation

Preparation is highlighted as a key factor in performance and achievement. The speaker believes that being well-prepared will lead to success on the field. This concept is integral to the team's approach to games and to the individual's approach to personal development.

💡Identity

Identity in the script refers to the core characteristics and values that define a team or an individual. The speaker suggests that USC, a university known for its football success, should not change its identity even when moving to a new conference, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's unique qualities.

💡Leadership

Leadership is a recurring theme in the script, with the speaker discussing the obligation of players to be leaders on their team. It is portrayed as a responsibility to guide, inspire, and uplift others, which is crucial for the team's cohesion and performance.

💡Worldly Education

Worldly education goes beyond formal schooling to encompass a broad understanding of various subjects and life experiences. The speaker values this type of education, believing it is essential for personal growth and becoming well-rounded.

💡Platform

A platform in this context refers to the speaker's public presence and influence, which they use to communicate messages about righteousness and personal development. It signifies the power of individuals to make positive impacts on others through their actions and words.

Highlights

The speaker reflects on the significance of having the first African-American head coach in Michigan history, symbolizing progress and support within the University.

A strong belief is expressed that the team will not let down their new coach, Kos Mo, and that the initial games under his leadership were promising.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work and achieving success regardless of one's race or color.

A comparison is made between the new coach and Coach Harbo, highlighting similarities in coaching philosophy despite differences in personality.

The impact of new coaches at Michigan is acknowledged, with the team maintaining its high standards set in 2021.

Coach Moore's experience through both good and bad times at Michigan is recognized as valuable for his role as head coach.

The speaker discusses the importance of preparation and performance in football, drawing a parallel to USC's successful history.

A personal story is shared about the speaker's father, a single parent who had a significant impact on shaping the speaker's character.

The value of continuous learning and being well-rounded in various fields is advocated by the speaker.

Opinions and criticisms from outside are dismissed as less important than the support and understanding of those within the team.

The speaker's humility and gratitude are highlighted, especially in relation to being featured on a video game cover by EA.

The speaker discusses the responsibility of being a leader and the importance of setting a positive example for others.

A personal struggle with expectations and the pressure of performance is shared, along with the decision to seek therapy.

The speaker talks about the importance of rhythm in a game for a running back and the need to adapt to the flow of play.

A commitment to teamwork and the desire for all running backs to get their opportunities is expressed.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being a good person and using one's platform to promote righteousness and unity.

A personal anecdote is shared about maintaining relationships with former teammates and competitors, highlighting the bond of brotherhood in sports.

The speaker's determination to do whatever it takes to win every game, including facing rivals like Ohio State, is stated.

Transcripts

the first African-American head coach in

Michigan history and you know I think it

it says a lot to um our University you

know um we have a lot of supporters of

Kos Mo and we have people that are

saying that we can't like we're we're

not going to let him down and I could

say as a player we won't let him down

and I just believe that um the first

couple the first uh what was it the

second game first game right to tell man

I got a bad memory I get head in the

head so much

uh the the four games that he was the

head coach I believe that it was a

glimpse of his career at the University

of Michigan and you know uh I'm

ultimately excited for him and you know

I'm blessed he's the head coach and you

know just for him to be a black head

coach um you know uh it's it's it's a

beautiful thing because he said it

earlier nobody yse CL him I'm

disappointed y'all Y he said that U you

know regardless of color you know being

an africanamerican head coach it shows

that you know that uh through about your

hard work you know that you can achieve

anything and regardless of your color as

well you can achieve anything that you

want to as long as you put your mind to

it is he over here he over there nah

that's my

dog no this there's nothing different

yeah you could like personality wise

different between him and Coach Harbo

but uh the philosophy is is the exact

same and he uh he knows that U it's the

same thing with like like you know most

of our position coaches have left but

these new coaches are Michigan man and

they are living up to the standard that

we have created here in 2021 and that

has been built so you know Coach Moore

has been here through the through the

bad times and the good times so he knows

exactly what's he knows exactly what to

do and you know he's going to remain

humble and he's going to uh ultimately

succeed at being the head coach of

Michigan

I'm sorry

boss uh like I said before ultimately

you know you you have to play on who's

the schedule and you know

um that's a very very talented team and

very good team so you ultimately you

have to you just have to play who um who

who's on the schedule and ultimately too

like you're preparing every single day

to to as we as I've said our our

ultimate goal

so yeah I got I'm going

get um I think that USC shouldn't

changed their identity they've had

ultimate success of you know um the

school that they have been even even

like since the 70s you know what I'm

saying like for a very very long time

they've had success so I don't think

that they should change the thing coming

to the Big

10 no I don't I don't think so

ultimately you know you just have to

play your brand of football you know I'm

a big believer in you know your

preparation will perform uh when it's

time when it's time to perform so I

don't

know n nope

I'm sorry I'm I'm going keep keep them

rolling um I think my dad has a huge

impact of who I am today because my dad

was a single father raising two kids on

his own since I was two and my brother

was five so you know um and you know it

wasn't easy for him I know that for a

fact uh

I know it was tough for him because you

know he was still trying to go to school

working two jobs and at the same time

raising two kids on his own winging it

so ultimately I think he did a hell of a

job and I respect and admire my dad very

much you know my heart is just it's like

right right now it's very like

compassionate because I know the the

struggles that he went through and the

emotional you could say like damage and

uplifting now that my dad has had to go

through so you know my dad yeah is my

hero

how yeah I'm a big believer in um always

learning anything and everything so like

business or you know say somebody like

or like say like automobiles I don't

know nothing about automobiles but I

I'll learn something you know cuz

ultimately you know you have to you know

we're supposed to not just be a master

in one craft but in many crafts you know

and I think that for me it does it's not

just all about school school books you

know but you have to be worldly educated

as

well yeah I

mean having people been saying that for

a long time from us you know like it

doesn't bother us you know the only

thing that we care about is what's in

shim Beckler Hall you know the people

that we see on a day-to-day basis cuz

they're the ones that know what we go

through every single day you know so

that's the only bond that matters to us

we don't care what nay say or say or

what people write about us or what they

think about us or even if if if they

give us credit because you can always

hop on a bandwagon you know but we

appreciate all the support that we have

though which

way no I don't I don't think that he I

don't think that he cares at all because

everybody's entitled to their own

opinions but you don't have to listen to

people's opinions so I don't think that

he minds or cares what people say about

us at

all yeah

no doubt I think I think for all players

that we have a great obligation to do

and that's to be leaders on our own team

you know it doesn't matter what team

you're on I think that everybody has um

the obligation to to grow as a player

and you know to be humble with where

they're to be humble in the situation

that they're in and to ultimately be

grateful that EA allowed us to be on the

video game what was the second

question right right right right right

so yeah so I I got a DM from one of the

people EA and I don't respond to DMS you

feel me because like I don't know I

don't know who you are you feel me but

then one of my Representatives called me

he told me that um that EA wanted to do

a deal with you I said well what's the

deal they said be on the cover of the

game I

said I said we so you know I had to I

had I had I had to take that deal you

know so very grateful that EA chose me

uh to be on the cover of the game man

I'm going go deeper into that question

to um I also look at it as a as a great

uh obligation for me to represent the

program uh and to be a leader amongst my

team and to you know uh do my absolute

best every single day to uplift our

standard and my thing too is like I want

guys to see like like yeah Donovan has a

lot going on for him right now but you

know you could be in the same situation

too but when you're in this situation

what are you going to do with it you

know you can either be rude you could be

mean or you could be a good person and I

want I want people to choose being a

good person you know that I could be

able to connect to about that about

being on the cover of the

game I'm sorry one more

time I already answered that it could be

better but it's

okay for me it hasn't changed at all cuz

like I I'll stay I like if I had to be

in college I'll be in college with for

with no money you know um

I had to I remember paying in paying for

pizzas and quarters and dimes you know

at one point you know so it money

doesn't matter to me like I just want to

be a successful person I want to um I

want to allow people to you know be the

absolute best person that they could be

every single day so money money was not

effective for me you mentioned you

wereing no no not at the national

championship but tell me a little bit

more than about what you were yeah so

like uh like the first couple games like

you know whatever like you know first

couple games but then like come like

week four five six or seven I'm like

damn like the hell is this excuse my

language by the way I'm like damn like

what's going on and you know ultimately

like you know I was just like I like

it's like all these factors like I'm not

getting the ball as much as I want to

like I know I'm only going to go down go

in on third on third Downs like whatever

you know like cuz you know like if

you're if you know that you're talented

you know you proved something already

like you would want to be in the game

more which is whatever like you know I

think that that's what shap me into I am

today but ultimately I had the choice to

like I had the choice to as coach Harbo

would say be better be better or get

better and I chose getting better you

know like I continued to root my

teammates some I didn't care who was

getting the touches I don't I didn't

care who's getting the touchdowns I

didn't care after the rose bow more

specifically after the rose bow I didn't

care anymore so so yeah like I just saw

a therapist uh Mike car told me to go

see when I said you're right I should I

need to and ultimately you know um I

realized I put a lot of expectations on

myself like wanting to get drafted after

the season knowing like yeah bro it

might not happen you know I put a lot of

expectations on myself that I'm not

going to do ever again when did you kind

of feel that burden start to come off uh

I say like it was probably like maybe

before like pen State I believe you know

just taking a kn and you know I had a

fire back in my soul which my my an

arbor people my Wolverine people know I

told the story I I felt the fire back in

my soul and back in my heart you know

like the what makes me great you know

and I felt that back and I was like yeah

I'm back like I'm back in

action for sure I mean also you have to

be durable so I'm weighing 215 right now

hopefully I want to get to like 212 so

before the season starts and were like

203 um you watch the spring game all

right

then so hold on hold on I still answer

this question you good you good so um

yeah I could be a 25 carry guy do I want

it I I'll take it if if needed to be but

I want other guys to be able to get

their touches I want to be a to you know

catch the ball too get like four or five

catches what it doesn't matter whatever

Kirk wants whatever is best for the team

that's what I want you know I could have

25 carries but ultimately I want KH

mullet to get carries I want Ben hard to

get carries I want tyi to get carries uh

Le I want all running backs to get

carries you know when their number is

called on but to answer your question

yes I could do it I'm confident in it

I think I talked to as a team I talked

to Junior Co much uh a lot more

different circumstances you know he want

to win a Rony lot winner Rony lot Award

winner yeah and you know and he's in the

NFL with Coach Harbo uh so it was a

little bit of a different situation but

you know ultimately I just had to Thug

it out I had to do what was best for me

I had to you know dive into myself and

see like what's like what's the root of

your problems and I realized the root of

my problems and it's like how are you

going to grow from it and I think that

I'm starting to grow from it

so yeah I was number three at one

point uh to go back to your question I

don't look at myself as that I look at

our running back room as complimentary

to all of us so you know um I told the

guys I told them I was going to all work

each and every one of our running backs

I told them and and that was my

challenge to see like like are you going

to compete with me cuz I'm going to

compete like are you guys going to

compete with me and believe me they have

been competing um but what was the

question about the second question my

bad oh right right the the the Rhythm

hell yeah man as a running back like you

have to get a rhythm of the game you

don't ask a quarterback like hand the

ball off 15 times and not want you to

run a a a I want the receiver to run a

post rout and cover three I want you to

throw a 50 yard I want you to throw a 50

yards like like the the pass might not

be there like he's not in the Rhythm so

yeah like that's not just me that's for

any player in the game like you have to

get into a rhythm of the game

of status comes with

that questions like

that it's just like how I've been

talking about man like I have a platform

now that I could talk about what I want

to talk about and my platform is talking

about righteousness though I'm not a

perfect person you know I try to do my

best to to do right you know and that's

kind of my ultimate goal is is to you

know uplift God's words and his in his

name unto other people so you know

people could Thrive and people could you

know unite as people and you know to be

better to be better individuals and to

for that to be a repeated

cycle that's right shout out to Mari

Paige yeah yeah that's right yeah

yeah yeah so me me me and Dylan actually

just did a deal with uh Mike mois shout

out to Mike mois we did a deal together

uh a commercial shoot and you know it

was like no loss like no bad blood you

know a little little chitchat you know

but you know ultimately I like we talk I

talked to him yesterday you know or

whenever he was here yesterday and you

know I'm going to continue to talk to

him throughout the season so you know

it's just a Brotherhood and a bond that

you know him and I have I'm not sure

about the other guys you have to ask

that but you know it's like Trey Mosley

when he was at Michigan State too like

still talking to him Lance Dixon when he

was at Penn State still talking to him

you know TSH Mustafa AJ EV Wisconsin

like know it's all it's always going to

be love and you know I think coach Bill

did a hell of a job um grooming us into

to the young men and the men that were

becoming I just say personality you know

like just it's just like other people

you know like you have have a different

personality than Isaiah over here you

know what I'm saying like just it's

nothing besides that personality wise

nothing different at

all I might have a little bit Jim hard

boy me just just a tad

bit I mean he's just a a hell of a coach

I talked to him probably like three days

ago too so

that's that's fine you know um you uh

you you know people always put stuff to

paper you know but ultimately you know

it's nothing that we haven't been

through at all uh at Michigan so you

know um ultimately we're going to do

whatever it takes to win every single

game this

year play Michigan Ohio State no

doubt um like I said before um you're

going to have to play whoever you're

schedule to play so you know um excuse

me every game every game that we're

going up every game that we we're

playing we're going to take it as you

know getting better every single weekend

doing our best to to win win every

single football

game peace and blessings everybody thank

you