Michigan fans brave the rain in Ann Arbor to welcome home Jim Harbaugh and his players after Wolverines win National Championship… with QB JJ McCarthy asked to do ‘one more year’
Jim Harbaugh and his players were treated to a hero’s welcome when they returned to rainy Ann Arbor as national champions.
The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies in Houston on Monday to claim their first title since 1997.
Harbaugh’s team arrived back on campus Tuesday night as thousands of fans braved the rain to see them.
The coach made his way past the line of fences blocking supporters and gave high fives as he greeted the rain-soaked crowd.
Harbaugh and several players also took the microphone to address the fans who came to them. Among them was quarterback JJ McCarthy, who has yet to reveal whether he will enter the NFL draft next season.
The Michigan team received a hero’s welcome when they returned home as national champions
Jim Harbaugh and his players were greeted by thousands of fans in Ann Arbor
Quarterback JJ McCarthy was serenaded by the crowd with chants of “one more year”
āI just want to thank you all for everything,ā he said before being interrupted by cries of āone more yearā from the audience.
āLet’s enjoy this tonight and that’s what we’ll worry aboutā¦ā McCarthy continued as his teammates riled up the fans.
āI just have to say this: I don’t know how I can leave you all. āEverything about this place has made it a home for me and I just love you all from the bottom of my heart,ā the quarterback added.
āIt’s all about the team, the team, the team here and you’re there. You are the team, so we appreciate you so much. I love you guys, go blue!’
On Monday night, supporters toasted the victory by taking to the streets, burning banks and singing Mr. Brightside in Ann Arbor.
Wolverine defensive lineman Kris Jenkins salutes the fans who braved the conditions
Thousands of fans waited in the rain to welcome the Wolverines from Houston
Michigan was crowned national champions after beating the Washington Huskies
Shortly after the final whistle, clips emerged on social media of wild celebrations both in the stadium and on campus.
One video showed a large crowd gathered around a couch, with fans filming on their phones as a student wearing Michican merchandise set the furniture on fire.
At the nearby Crisler Center, Michigan hosted a free student-only viewing party for Monday’s game. Clips from during the game showed fans in the stands celebrating a Wolverines touchdown as the action played out on the big screens.
Later, however, the crowd had descended on the field below, where they performed The Killers’ unofficial anthem ‘Mr Brightside’.
Outside, on the streets of Ann Arbor, supporters gathered late into the night, taking photos of themselves climbing trees ā and even carrying them ā after the victory.