The University of Michigan's college football team is in the midst of a tumultuous season, and nobody has been caught in the crosshairs more so than senior quarterback Devin Gardner.
The Wolverines are a disappointing 3-4, and Gardner has received much of the blame due to the nature of the position he plays. While the talented signal-caller has done his best to brush off the criticism, he acknowledged that some of his critics have made things personal, according to Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News.
"I've been called the N-word so many times this year," Gardner said. "One guy told me I was the N-word, and said I know N-words can't play quarterback. And I was like, are we not past this? Say what you want about my skill, but come on."
That revelation rightfully disturbed many, including MLive.com's Nick Baumgardner:
Perhaps the most trying point of his season came when head coach Brady Hoke decided to start sophomore Shane Morris under center against Minnesota on Sept. 27.
While Gardner was hurt by the decision, he decided to make the best of it and lead by example during practice.
I just try to help my teammates, and I knew they'd be watching me. I knew coming in on Sunday, they're going to say, 'What's Devin going to do? How's Devin going to respond?' I felt I responded the best anybody could ever respond. I was helpful in practice, upbeat, just trying to keep the energy in practice. It felt like I was going to start. And then when it came to the game against Minnesota, it's like, I'm not going to start. I took a step back and was like, 'Wow, I'm not playing this game.' But I treated it as if I was.
Gardner regained his starting job the following week, and while things certainly haven't gone perfectly since then, he showed his toughness and resolve by leading the Wolverines past Penn State on Oct. 11 despite dealing with an apparent ankle injury.
Even with his ankle ailing, Gardner fully intends to play against rival Michigan State on Saturday afternoon.
"You can't not feel the pain," Gardner said. "The thing is, it's mind over matter. You have to ignore it. Try to ignore it. You can't compare a sprain to a broken bone, but high-ankle sprains are pretty bad. They hurt pretty bad."
Even though Michigan likely isn't in position to challenge for a Big Ten title, its season is far from over. Bowl eligibility is hanging in the balance, and Gardner has to be at his best in order to reach that threshold.
He has somehow managed to block out the negativity that many have spewed in his direction. Even though he isn't having an ideal campaign by any means, leading Michigan to a bowl would be a sweet conclusion to his collegiate career.
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