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As testimonies and allegations continue to surface from former Michigan doctor Robert Anderson decades of abuse while working for the University and its sports department, the legacy of Bo Schembechler has been tainted in the eyes of many. Former Michigan players as well as Schembechler’s adopted son cited numerous examples of Schembechler being made aware of Anderson’s sexually abusive practices, claiming that the Wolverines’ most successful coach of all time ignored and, at times, didn’t care about complaints.
ICYMI: 240-page report cites four Schembechler examples of Anderson abuse
ICYMI: Schembechler’s son, two former Michigan players officially state that Schembechler knew about Anderson’s abuse
ICYMI: Jim Harbaugh defends Bo Schembechler amid claims of coach inaction
ICYMI: Group claiming to be former Michigan players and staff launches ‘In Defense of Bo’ petition
Now Schembechler’s family are standing up for the late coach.
Tuesday evening, Cathy Schembechler, Bo’s second wife; his son, Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler III and Shemy’s wife, Megan, issued a joint statement through a spokesperson defending the 13-time Big Ten champion head coach. They countered claims that Schembechler knew about Anderson’s abuse and firmly stood up for Schembechler’s character.
The defense comes as dozens of former Michigan players plan to appeal to the Michigan board of directors to address Schembechler’s involvement outside Michigan Stadium on Wednesday morning. Michigan head coach from 1969 to 1989 and University athletic director from 1988 to 1990, Schembechler is the namesake of Michigan’s main football facility (Schembechler Hall) and had a larger than life statue erected of him outside the building in 2014.
The full statement of the Schembechler family can be found below:
“There are many ways to measure a man, especially one as scrutinized as Bo Schembechler. We can judge him by his coaching record, the victories and defeats give the illusion of a tidy record. the caliber of the people he surrounded himself with in his four decades of training, the teams, coaches and staff who played for him and worked with him, many of whom never fell out of touch with Bo. You can assess him through the testimonies of many of these people who have spoken out in recent days to defend his memory and his legacy. Perhaps you could get a feel for Bo Schembechler by speaking to the hundreds – probably thousands more – of people whose lives were enriched by his enduring presence long after their playing days were over.
“However, we measure Bo Schembechler by different standards, as a devoted husband and father. We remember him in those intimate family moments that go unnoticed by others but are indelibly etched in our memories. from him during times of celebration shared with the world, but also during quiet times of counseling and counseling. We remember that – even in the height of the season – Bo would come home for dinner to share stories about this. that had happened to him that day and to ask questions about our days.
“That Bo Schembechler deserved and deserves our admiration and love. This tells us that Bo never told any of us about Dr. Anderson’s inappropriate behavior. On the contrary, in our unshakeable view, Bo was not.As he has demonstrated at many points in his career and to us as a family, Bo had a clear and compelling sense of right and wrong: he did would not have tolerated misconduct, particularly towards any of its players, family members, coaches or anyone associated with the University of Michigan football program. Had Bo become aware of any inappropriate behavior, we are sure he would have immediately arrested it, reported it, and had Dr. Anderson removed from the University.
“Some would argue that the absence of evidence is not final in situations like these, but it should be noted that a 240-page report by an external and independent law firm retained by the University for Examining Dr. Anderson’s conduct considered similar allegations, but did not substantiate those allegations.
“Painful as the past few days have been, we are confident that the facts – and the truth – will win out eventually. We are confident that the veracity of each accuser will be examined and the grim reality will be given appropriate weight. that one of our family members has been estranged from us for decades and has repeatedly brought unfounded and false accusations against Bo and other family members, including pursuing lawsuits that have been dismissed Many times.
“Bo Schembechler was father and husband. A devoted Christian. He was inspiring, demanding, loyal, a staunch defender of his large family and a master builder who pushed everyone around him to be better, to be the best version. of themselves possible. He pushed himself harder than anyone. He believed in integrity, honesty and kindness; he despised dishonesty and cruelty. His accomplishments – and the positive impact that he has had in the lives of so many around him – are examples to study and emulate. We are grateful to all who have stepped forward to defend his memory. We are proud to bear his name and bear witness to him. a life well lived. “
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