Folks, we have a brand new college football side character to care about! What a sweet treat as we head into a typically mundane Week 12 slate across the sport.
On Friday, Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger dropped a new detailed report on the investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. There is a lot to parse through — including allegations that linebackers coach Chris Partridge, who was fired Friday, tried to cover up evidence tied to Connor Stalions.
But the headline for most college fans is the existence of a Michigan booster who allegedly helped financed the scheme. He is known in NCAA reports only as “Uncle T” and is purported to have contributed thousands of dollars to help Stalions cover expenses related to in-person scouting.
Multiple sources say that Partridge is not alleged at this time of knowing about the advanced scouting by Stalions, but acted after the fact to cover up evidence. Sources tell Yahoo Sports that a booster — named in the NCAA report as “Uncle T” — helped fund the alleged scheme, giving Stalions thousands of dollars for expenses.
The story comes on the heels of Michigan reversing course and dropping its pursuit of a temporary restraining order against the Big Ten. Instead the school and head coach Jim Harbaugh have accepted the conference’s three-game sideline suspension which will allow Harbaugh to remain with the team except on game days. Harbaugh served the first game of the suspension last week against Penn State and will now be out against Maryland and Ohio State.
As you can imagine, college fans cared much less about that news than the emergence of a booster known only as Uncle T. The internet went wild with theories over who could be the man behind the moniker.
It’s worth noting we have no confirmation on Uncle T’s identity whatsoever, but social media sure seems to have a few ideas.
I think we all know who Uncle T is in the Harbaugh family https://t.co/FUiMWLXRkS pic.twitter.com/KrwaOUJyGy
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) November 17, 2023
Uncle T? pic.twitter.com/EKQ33NVgHu
— Let's Talk Penn State Podcast (@LetsTalkPennSt) November 17, 2023
Everyones favorite Uncle T pic.twitter.com/jZBy6pFhxw
— SouthpawTodd (@850elitefitness) November 17, 2023
Uncle T trying to blend in at a Buckeye game 😫 pic.twitter.com/CTIFO5wsHS
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) November 17, 2023
They might as well have just called him “Uncle T B12” 😂🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/KPDaCFZue3
— Long Live Dolph 🐬🕊️ (@THEJulianThomas) November 17, 2023
Uncle T https://t.co/3RzYeV75oh pic.twitter.com/9k29N37ono
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) November 17, 2023
Anyway, who would be the funniest possible "Uncle T" who was secretly funding Michigan's sign-stealing operation?
I know everybody is saying Tom Brady, but personally, I hope it's Jonathan Chait
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) November 17, 2023
every time i look up a new and exciting character has entered the michigan sign stealing chat, i never want this to end
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) November 17, 2023
Uncle T after another Michigan Touchdown pic.twitter.com/82W9fX2Cyk
— Sports Jim III (@SportsAndChup) November 17, 2023
Uncle T never had the makings of a varsity athlete. But he knew how to influence them. https://t.co/1XBOSozq9B pic.twitter.com/zSrazuSmQe
— Scoops (@ejmaroun) November 17, 2023
"no, hey, listen guys, Uncle T was actually Connor Stalion's real uncle so it supports the lone wolf theory still." https://t.co/wplEeERXyu
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 17, 2023
“Uncle T” will live in infamy. What a great character name in this plot.
Netflix, you paying attention? https://t.co/F55yq9nmbM
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) November 17, 2023
EIGHT signs a-stolen
SEVEN friends of Stallions
SIX broken vacuums
FIVE public Venmos
FOUR bad disguises
THREE game suspensions
TWO investigations
AND A PARTRIDGE AND UNCLE T— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 17, 2023
