Wheatley

Former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley reflects on the 'Michigan experience,' his life in the NFL and why he did not run the Naked Mile

Daily: How extensively do you follow Michigan football?

Wheatley: I still follow it a lot. Every chance I get I'll check up on the team. I still talk to a bunch of the guys. I caught a couple glances of the games this year, but sometimes I feel that I'm bad luck or something. I'll be watching and they'll be losing. But as soon as I turn off the game, they'll come back to win. This year the games have just been so tough. Sometimes I wonder who makes up the doggone schedules. If you look at some other Big Ten teams, they have such a weaker schedule than us, but you have to take what you are given. The great teams always have the toughest schedules, and I feel that Michigan will always prevail. That's how it's always been.

D: How important is reaching the Rose Bowl every year for the Wolverines?

W: It's very important. The Rose Bowl is the reason for playing the season. But unfortunately, because the Big Ten isn't part of the Alliance, we don't always have a shot at the national title, so reaching the Rose Bowl is the ultimate goal. If we can go out to Pasadena and beat the PAC-10 school, we have to be in the picture for the national title. It feels so good to get there, and then to win it just means that you achieved the ultimate goal that is set each season by every Big Ten football team.

D: If beating Washington in the Rose Bowl was your favorite on-the-field memory, what sticks out in your mind off the field at Michigan?

W: Pick one. There are so many. Everything sticks out in my mind. It was the whole experience that stands out. From just being a college student, it's everything. Living life as a college student is being a grown up without needing to be a grown up. You can do stupid college things and not be accountable for them. It was very fun - days that I definitely loved and miss. I still need to finish up a couple credits there, and I was talking to my brother about it, and I told him I want to stay in the dorms again - I'll probably be the oldest guy in the dorms, but that's how fun it was. Every experience I had, I'll never forget.

D: You said you loved doing crazy college things. Did you ever run the Naked Mile?

W: Naked Mile? No way. I don't think I could run a mile, let alone a naked mile. Come on now, it's always cold after finals. There was no way I was going to let females see me running naked in the cold. It's a great tradition, but not always a pretty sight.

D: I know that education is very important to you. You majored in education, and recently nominated a former teacher of yours, Millie Hursin, as the NFL's teacher of the month. How has that impacted your decision-making and the fact that you stayed your senior year at Michigan rather than going pro early?

W: It's one of those things that I know is important. I like to be around kids, and would like to be able to say I've taught children. I've helped raise my brother, and the reason I nominated Mrs. Hursin is because she's given me a life off the field. She's helped me out in so many things, and shown me the impact a teacher can have on a student. Most of my growing came in school, not on the football field, and I have those people to thank for me being the person I am today.

D: Is it fun having the Michigan connection between you, Toomer and Calloway on this team?

W: Oh yeah, it's great. We like to tease Calloway for being "old school" because he's been here for a while. But we really consider each other family, and do a lot of things off the field. It's great to have an old teammate here with you again. And to be able to further your friendship after leaving college.

D: As a metro-Detroiter, how does it feel to come into the Silverdome and face the Lions, a team I'm assuming you and your family rooted for growing up?

W: It's fun, but I know my brother is probably still rooting for the Lions even when I play. He's always hated every team I've played for. He loved Notre Dame and hated Michigan. In high school he hated my school, Robichaud High School, but loved the rival cross- town school. Now, he hates the Giants but loves the Redskins, so I've lived with this for years and years. But I enjoy it, it's still fun.

D: As a former student-athlete, what are your opinions on the troubles surrounding the Michigan basketball program and the general problem of boosters reaching college athletes?

W: It's tough. There are a lot of boosters out there. Many are former college athletes and they know the rules, so they know how to get around them. I know a lot of guys who offered stuff to us in college. Even though I was on complete scholarship, I was one of the guys on the team who didn't have much, so it's difficult with people trying to give you stuff. It was never tempting to me though. (Former Michigan football) coach (Gary) Moeller wouldn't allow any of that, and it never crossed my mind. He put the hammer down and let you know the rules. Basically, I think that the discipline for the football team is a whole different story compared to other Michigan sports. I know that there are football players who get in trouble, but there is a strict regiment laid out by the coaches and you stick to it.

D: Now that Moeller is coaching in the NFL, do you get a chance to speak with him, or other teammates from college?

W: Oh yes. I speak with Coach Moeller frequently. Just because we are both here and there the whole season doesn't mean we don't have the time to talk and catch up on each other's lives. Elvis (Grbac), Joe Cocozzo and I keep in touch with a lot of the guys. It always feels good to see those guys, especially if they are successful in the NFL.

11-17-97