Walking through the tunnel at Michigan Stadium has never meant so much. The tunnel leading to the football field in Michigan Stadium has seen hundreds of Hall of Fame players and coaches. It has been the entrance to tens of ESPN Classics. It has led to the field several Heisman Trophy winners. This Saturday, however, the walk through the tunnel will provide inspiration to the Michigan football family unlike ever before.
Funny enough, despite the troubles of the Michigan football team the past two years, the inspiration has nothing to do with getting a win against UConn Saturday but everything to do with the person leading the team through the tunnel: Brock Mealer.
Brock Mealer is the older brother of Michigan offensive lineman Elliott Mealer. The story of the Mealers begins with a tragic accident on Christmas Eve 2007. Driving to church, a car accident killed Elliott’s dad and girlfriend and left his brother Brock paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors told Brock he would never walk again. Brock had other ideas.
The football side of the story occurs because Rich Rodriguez had just taken over as Michigan’s football coach weeks before the accident. Elliott suffered a serious shoulder injury, but Rodriguez assured Elliott that he would have a scholarship to Michigan regardless of what happened. Additionally, Rodriguez and Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Barwis offered Brock to help with his rehab. The goal was simple: Brock was to lead the team through the tunnel at Michigan Stadium one day.
This Saturday, that dream becomes reality. Despite what happens on the field, Brock Mealer will be the biggest winner in Ann Arbor on Saturday. His story of perseverance is an inspiration to a Michigan football program that has also fought through adversity in the last two years. Hopefully, Michigan will be able to provide Brock with a win to seal what will undoubtedly be a emotional and memorable day. Regardless of what happens, Brock will have 109,901 fans this Saturday.
