Chicago Cubs Pitcher Clayton Richard wasn’t exactly the greatest player in Michigan football history. In 2004, he lost the starting quarterback position battle to Chad Henne. Richard was the Michigan Wolverines QB2 that year, but only saw action in mop-up duty. Clayton Richard saw some garbage time in blowouts over Miami (Ohio), Indiana, and Northwestern.
Richard, in total, attempted 15 passes for 8 completions and 52 yards passing. The Michigan football team finished 9-3 and ranked #12 in the final poll.
The next spring, Richard joined the Wolverines baseball team, had a lot of success and relinquished his Michigan football scholarship for 2005. He decided to focus on baseball full time. Obviously, it was the right decision as here he is still pitching in the big leagues over a decade later.
Today, Clayton Richard is a member of the team Vegas declared the favorite to win the World Series. At the Cubs Convention on Saturday, Richard spoke with four other Cubs players at a panel entitled “Life Off the Field.” A Cubs fan and current student at the University of Michigan (she formally identified herself as such and added “Go Blue!”) took the microphone for Cubs fan Q&A.
Every year I think "why don't I go to #CubsCon?" Then I read the live tweets from the fan Q&A and remember why.
— The Tomfoolery of Professor John Frink (@Frustrated_Fan) January 16, 2016
This is what happens when fans ask questions instead of media.
“You obviously had the chance to do both, how did you decide football or baseball? How did you ultimately decide to go with baseball?” She queried.
Richard’s response?
“I guess you didn’t watch Michigan football back about ten years ago, they kind of made the decision for me.” (the convention ballroom erupted in laughter)
“I really thought I was a good quarterback and they didn’t see the same thing. So I went and played baseball and got drafted and that was about it.”
Clayton Richard had a really good time with all of it; displaying some solid self-deprecating humor for a Michigan football fan who clearly had no clue what she was talking about.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
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