Michael Phelps' speech to Michigan football team resonates with Jim Harbaugh
Michigan Wolverines football had a virtual visitor this week in Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic swimmer of all time with a total of 28 gold medals, including a record eight at the 2008 Beijing Games. He spoke to the team via Zoom, head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed at a Wednesday afternoon press conference, and gave some wise words.
Phelps is a Michigan alum, having taken classes while training at the university in the mid-2000s. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Wolverines.
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Harbaugh said that part of Phelps’ message revolved around taking care of his body and the importance it plays for an athlete.
“We just had a phenomenal presentation, talk to the team by Michael Phelps, who came in via Zoom,” Harbaugh said. “The thing that just continues to ring in my ear and head from that talk was crystal clear — he told us how he couldn’t wait to get into the 105 pounds of ice he had waiting for him in the bath. That was going to be the thing he did right after he got done talking to the team.”
Michigan is two weeks into fall camp, which can be grueling, and Harbaugh felt it was important the Maize and Blue heard Phelps’ words about recovery.
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“He talked about sleep, he talked about hydration — water,” Harbaugh continued. “Somebody who could go anywhere in the world, do any kind of treatment known to mankind — ice, sleep and hydration with water.
“Our team has an ice bath waiting for them right now, they’ve got water and then getting that sleep. Those are the kind of things that take care of themselves, take care of the team. But I really appreciate Michael Phelps for embedding that in my mind and our players’ mind.”
During fall camp and throughout the season, Harbaugh brings in guest speakers to meet with the Michigan team. U-M head basketball coach Juwan Howard came to practice and spoke last week, with his message surrounding the Wolverines’ “brotherhood.”
Phelps taking some time to speak to Harbaugh’s squad had the head coach fired up.
“Talk about the world’s greatest Olympian, arguably,” Harbaugh said. “No question about it in swimming — the most gold medals of anybody. That was huge, and that was a good message right at the right time to keep our team focused and on track and healthy as can be.”
