Things We Wish Were at the Schembechler Estate Sale

Bo knows... paintball gear?

An estate sale by the son of Bo Schembechler was scheduled to be held this week in Ann Arbor before being cancelled at the last minute.  It was to have included sports memorabilia, high-end furniture, antiques, crystal and vintage clothing that once belonged to the legendary Michigan football coach.

However, based on the pictures of some of the items, it looked more like it was going to be a garage sale for your neighbor, Russ, who lives down the street rather than an estate sale of priceless mementos owned by one of the most beloved coaches in Meeechigan history.   I mean, I'm sure Bo's old Christmas ornaments hold value for somebody, and who wouldn't want to say they put together their Ikea furniture using Bo's power tools, but we at the MZone were hoping for a little...more.

According to the company behind the almost-sale, since it was Bo's son's stuff, they weren't sure what sports items would be included.  With that in mind, here's our list of things that, with a few turns of the fickle finger of football fate, could have been for sale:

*  The shoe worn by Michigan kicker Mike "Super Toe" Lantry in November, 1973 after he kicked a 44-yard field goal with :24 seconds left to break a 10-10 tie and lead Michigan to victory over Ohio State and Woody Hayes.  The Wolverines finished the regular season undefeated and went on to win the Rose Bowl and with it, Bo's first National Championship.

The original "replacement refs"

* The whistle of the ref who was over-ruled after initially signaling a phantom touchdown for USC's Reggie White during the 1979 Rose Bowl.  Instead, the correct call - that White had fumbled before crossing the goal line and Michigan recovered - was made leading to Bo's second Rose Bowl victory.

* The can of Stickum spray Brad Cochran was using when he picked off QB Chuck Long on Iowa's final drive in the waning moments of second-ranked Michigan's 10-9 victory over the top ranked Hawkeyes in Iowa City in 1985.  The only blemish on the Wolverine record that year was a 3-3 tie at Illinois.  Even still, after Bo's 4th win in Pasadena, the General captured his second National Championship.

* The autographed picture of Bo holding up the Little Brown Jug after second-ranked Michigan held on to beat Minnesota and QB Ricky Foggie in the second to last game of the 1986 regular season.  After beating Ohio State in the regular season finale following Jim Harbaugh's victory guarantee, the Wolverines completed yet another undefeated regular season.

* The football that Michigan recovered after Miami's failed onside kick attempt at the end of the Wolverine's victory over the #1-ranked Hurricanes in 1988.   Miami was trying to come back from a 30-14 deficit with seven minutes left in the 4th quarter but it was not to be as the Wolverines held on in The Big House. 

* Bo's gameplan notes for the '89 Michigan-Notre Dame game in which he specifically told his special teams coaches not to kick to Irish speedster Rocket Ismail.  The Wolverines won that rainy day in A2 and ran the table, capped off by a thrilling victory against USC in the Rose Bowl (due to a gutsy, successful fake punt late in the game).  The undefeated season marked Bo's third and final National Title as he retired on top, passing the reins to his longtime assistant Gary Moeller.

Thankfully, we never kicked to him.  Whew!

(Phantom TD pic HT: MVictors)