Remembering A Michigan Legend [Video]

University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh continues to hit all the right notes for the fans, this week taking time out to remember a Michigan legend, Bob Ufer.

On the anniversary of Ufer's death, an event which brings die hard fans to Ann Arbor to visit his grave site, Harbaugh recalled his memories of the most passionate play-by-play announcer Michigan ever had. 

Ufer passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on October 26, 1981, just days after calling his final game, the Michigan-Michigan State tussle on October 17. The date is noted by recollections of Ufer by Michigan and visits to his grave site.

Harbaugh took time from his busy day by recalling his days as a youth in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh told Mlive.com of he and his brother John listening to a record album of Ufer's greatest calls. (An album I had as a kid, but have lost track of over time.)

Ufer was best known for his excited delivery, which in the days of the neutral announcer, was unabashedly pro-Michigan. Ufer was known for extending the school's name so that it sounded more like 'MEEEEEEECCCCHHHHHIIGAN!!!'. Other Uferisms included claiming he bled maize and blue blood and saying 'Bless his cotton picking maize and blue heart' when speaking of a Michigan player who just scored a touchdown.

Ufer also blew a loud horn after every Michigan touchdown, claiming the horn was taken off the jeep of General George Patton at the end of World War II and given to him by Patton's son. Ufer often referred to then Michigan coach Bo Schembechler as 'General Patton'.

So plugged in to the Ann Arbor and U of M communities was Ufer, that he is credited with both Don Canham being hired as the Athletic Director that brought Michigan into the modern era, AND convincing Canham to take a chance on Schembechler, who led the Wolverines into battle for over 20 years.

Hats off to Harbaugh for taking the time to remember Ufer, a true Michigan legend.