The most fun possible identity for the shadowy Michigan booster known only by the pseudonym “Uncle T” has been ruled out.
Earlier Friday, Yahoo Sports reporters Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger broke the news that NCAA investigators discovered that a Michigan booster nicknamed Uncle T was revealed to be at least one of the founders of ex-Marine Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing operations.
Because Tom Brady is a Michigan alum and was suspected of engaging in skullduggery during his NFL career, and because his first name starts with a T, he became a prime suspect on social media in the minutes after the news broke.
Lamentably, Wetzel has clarified in a tweet that “’Uncle T’ is not Tom Brady.”
Stalions, who resigned from Michigan’s football program earlier this month, was accused of traveling to numerous Wolverine opponents for the purpose of stealing signs.
Earlier this week, the Associated Press cited FOIA disclosures in reporting that Stalions had not filed for expense reimbursement from the Michigan football program related to his road games.
While sign-stealing is not technically barred in college football, the NCAA has prohibited in-person advance scouting since 1994.
Last week, the Big Ten suspended Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for the team’s three remaining regular season games this year over the program’s sign stealing.
Thursday, after initially mounting a legal fight against the conference, Michigan announced that Harbaugh would accept the suspension and that the Big Ten would conclude its investigation.
Harbaugh has repeatedly denied knowledge of the sign-stealing scheme, and there has not been evidence that has come out that has linked him to it.
The NCAA investigation of Michigan remains ongoing.
Friday, Michigan fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge.
Earlier Friday, Yahoo Sports reported that while there wasn’t evidence indicating that Partridge was aware of the sign-stealing scheme while it was happening, he was accused of later covering up evidence.