The quarterback wanted to go out in style if this is in fact his last season with the Wolverines.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hasn’t made a decision about his future, whether that’s to stay with the Wolverines or declare for the NFL draft, but in case he is done at Michigan, he wanted to go out in style.
The Wolverines held their championship parade and celebration on Saturday following their 34–13 national title win over Washington on Monday.
McCarthy was handed the 2023 Coaches’ Trophy, which is made of $30,000 worth of Waterford crystal. He decided to lob it over to his teammate, defensive back Mike Sainristil. Thankfully Sainristil was ready for the catch, and he made his way over to the stand to put the football shaped trophy on it safely.
If this is the last pass JJ McCarthy throws at Michigan, it was literally the prettiest.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 14, 2024
The Coaches' Trophy is worth over $30,000 in Waterford crystal ???? pic.twitter.com/f3FRRsslxs
The crowd gasped in unison when McCarthy took the risky throw, but then there was laughter when the trophy was safe. This would be quite the expensive last throw at Michigan if McCarthy does choose to move on from the program.
Some fans made a comparison of McCarthy’s throw to that of former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady’s famous Lombardi Trophy pass during the Super Bowl LV Buccaneers celebration in boats. He threw the prized trophy from one boat to another.
McCarthy was welcomed back to Ann Arbor with “one more year” chants from fans after the national title. The junior has until Monday to make his decision about the NFL draft.
