Come back CWEBB! Come back!

20 years ago, the Fab Five swept over the nation and grabbed pop culture by the neck to proclaim their existence. They were the first, all freshman, starting five college basketball players from the University of Michigan in NCAA history. The so called leaders of the Fab Five was Chris Webber and Jalen Rose who both went on to have long NBA careers. They were known for their brash, cocky, and sometimes arrogant demeanor  and took their team to the NCAA national championship game in consecutive years. Although losing both times, the second year became the most memorable game as Webber called the infamous timeout with only seconds remaining. The call was so infamous because Michigan had used up all of their timeouts at that point and was charged with a technical foul for calling too many timeouts. The opponent would go on to beat Webber and his team after getting two free throw shots from the technical that put the opponent ahead in the score.


 


Aside from losing the game, an improper benefits scandal had erupted at Michigan with Webber at the center. In intercollegiate sports, the athletes are considered amateur and are not allowed to receive compensation for their playing other than the scholarship that the university awards them to go to school. Allegedly, Webber had received around $200,000 in improper benefits from a local booster and was even indicted by a grand jury and almost went to prison for the allegations. Webber has always denied these allegations but the university had to vacate all of their wins from those seasons and he was put on a 10 year ban from any affiliation with the Michigan Wolverines.

This has always been a touchy subject for Webber, even into his playing days in Sacramento. Well the Michigan Wolverines are finally back in the championship game and we all want to see him at the game. It is doubtful that he will attend the game due to the sanctions against him but any fan of the man would love to see him and the university set aside their differences. To see Webber support his team could possibly help with the healing from 20 years ago. His old teammate, Jalen Rose, who is now an analyst on ESPN has made a public plea for Webber to attend the game tonight in Atlanta, which also happens to be where Webber resides these days.

Come on CWEBB! Go to the game!