Rich Eisen trolls Ohio State at Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony
There’s no questioning where radio personality and NFL Network host Rich Eisen‘s loyalties lie. Eisen, a 1990 University of Michigan graduate, has always used his large platform to promote his beloved Wolverines. That includes speaking at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Friday night, where Eisen, in Canton, Ohio, trolled Ohio State for losing to the Maize and Blue last November.
“Please silence all mobile devices,” Eisen told those in attendance. “Also, for your safety, I’m being asked to tell you, in the safety of all those in attendance, please take a moment to locate your nearest exit in case of an emergency. And if you need help locating that nearest exit, just think of yourself as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the middle of the fourth quarter last November in Michigan Stadium. That’s the way you look for an exit!”
Eisen’s comments drew some laughs and plenty of boos from the Ohio audience.
“Oh yeah. I love doing this thing. Hold on a minute. Let me just get ready. I love doing this event. I love you people; I do,” Eisen said. “I check into my hotel here in Canton, Ohio. The person welcomes me to Canton, Ohio. I feel so welcome. And then he lowers his voice and he says, ‘Hey, Go blue.’ Like he’s embarrassed to say the words.
“And I told him, ‘Say it with your chest. You can say it 42 times, like we did against Ohio State last November.’
“But really, folks. No, really, folks, it’s OK. [Running back] Hassan Haskins just scored again.”
Michigan, of course, beat down Ohio State Nov. 27 by a final score of 42-27, making the Wolverines’ first win over their biggest rival since 2011. That launched them into the Big Ten championship game, where they beat Iowa, 42-3. That was Michigan’s first conference title since 2004, snapping the program’s longest drought.
Haskins rushed for 169 yards and a program-record five touchdowns, with Michigan totaling 297 rushing yards overall behind a dominant performance from the offensive line.
Rich Eisen: Every Big Ten team’s biggest rival is Michigan
Eisen also has some strong takes on Michigan’s position when it comes to the new-look Big Ten. The scheduling format hasn’t been determined yet, but it’s likely the league will want to match the Wolverines up with the two new Los Angeles area schools, UCLA and USC. Michigan also has longstanding rivalries with the Buckeyes and others, though, and Eisen points out that there aren’t many other important series that don’t involve the Maize and Blue.
“Big Ten scheduling that’s coming — I’m going to say something that definitely backs up the sentiment from so many other Big Ten fans, that Michigan Wolverine alums like myself are arrogant and put our program on a pedestal,” Eisen began, speaking on the Rich Eisen Show recently.
“With all of the additions, with UCLA and USC and Dan Wetzel saying, well, they’re not going to take away rivalry games with the additions of these two new teams. The whole idea is to create more watchable games, and they’re not going to take away the rivalry games. So you’re going to still have those, and then you’ll figure out … he said they’ll still play nine games, but they’re not going to take out rivalry games.
“Name me another Big Ten rivalry game that does not include Michigan. Name me one! Name me one.”
