Ric Flair was responsible for all sorts of dirty deeds during his legendary wrestling career, but did he ever do something as dastardly as steal an opponent’s signs?
Flair paid a visit to the Michigan football team in Ann Arbor on Monday, an appearance that coach Jim Harbaugh said “brought the enthusiasm to a new level” in the meeting room.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Harbaugh called Flair “a very close friend” and the two posed for a photo in Harbaugh’s office, which Flair then posted on social media.
Just Spent The Morning With My Close Friend The Great @CoachJim4UM! Go Blue! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/voqAEP16eB
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) November 6, 2023
This time last month, the photo would have been completely unremarkable. But after the revelation that a Michigan staffer was accused of illegally videotaping opponents for the purpose of stealing signs, Harbaugh being pictured with a notorious cheater was suddenly a lot funnier.
The photo made plenty of fans think of one of Flair’s many nicknames: “The Dirtiest Player in the Game,” and they all quickly piled on Harbaugh with similar wisecracks.
If he were a horseman he would get away with this scandal. He didn’t take enough notes from the dirtiest player in the game!
— Rodney (@rlellison1076) November 6, 2023
Dirtiest player in the game, and Ric Flair.
— Grewski (@JRMcGrew) November 6, 2023
If my team was being accused of cheating, I would simply not hang out with someone known as The Dirtiest Player in the Game https://t.co/r15QobTzsp
— Hector Diaz (@iamHectorDiaz) November 6, 2023
Gotta give credit where it’s due, being under investigation for the biggest cheating scandal in college sports history and doing photo ops with the man known as “The Dirtiest Player In The Game”, is some spectacular stuff https://t.co/zc09tFxKPC
— Conley (@Conley76) November 6, 2023
Jim Harbaugh and a pro wrestler long famous for adhering to the rules. https://t.co/vYHHxcarxS
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 6, 2023
The man known as the Dirtiest Player in the Game meeting with Jim Harbaugh is just too on the nose for recent happenings. https://t.co/XhKpYzoW8p
— Michael Whitlow (@couldbelikemike) November 6, 2023
Jet flying! Limousine riding! Sign stealing! Wheeling-dealing son of a gun! https://t.co/snbcZkVxYL
— Nik Streng (@NikStreng) November 6, 2023
The whole Connor Stalions thing HAS had a pro-wrestling level of melodrama and absurdity to it, so this tracks. https://t.co/UFpxkubeTh
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 6, 2023
If it was an intentional move on Harbaugh’s part to invite one of the most famous cheaters in sports history to campus just as his team is accused of blatantly disregarding the rules, you have to give him credit for leaning into Michigan’s newfound status as the biggest heel in college football.
