Before the 2023 season began, one of the most incredible scandals that college football had ever seen was making headlines around the nation.
Colloquially known as the “Michigan Manifesto,” this sign-stealing scandal revolved around former UM football staffer Connor Stalions, who was alleged to have gone to extreme lengths to illegally obtain game film of future opponents.
A member of the Michigan football staff from September 2021 to October 2023, Stalions is believed to have orchestrated an elaborate advanced scouting scheme for the Wolverines, which included purchasing tickets to games involving upcoming UM opponents and using a video camera to record the signs used by play callers on the sidelines.
Ultimately, Stalions became the scapegoat for the sign-stealing scandal that made headlines all offseason long, and followed the Wolverines deep into the season as well. However, despite all the distractions in the world, Jim Harbaugh was able to lead his team to a national championship in 2023 before riding off into the sunset and taking a job with the San Diego Chargers.
While folks in Ann Arbor couldn’t have been happier with how their season ended, the story surrounding the program will always feel a bit slimy thanks to the scandal. However, shining further light on what happened might provide further clarity on things, and that’s exactly what will happen next month.
Netflix is set to allow this story to be told like never before in an episode of Untold — a series that addresses unique sports stories of all shapes and sizes — as the man himself, Connor Stalions, will get the chance to tell his side of things.
“Sign Stealer (Aug 27): Connor Stalions shares his side of Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing scheme that turned him into a viral villain,” the Netflix social media account wrote on Monday.
In his final public address, which coincided with his resignation last year, Stalions expressed his love and gratitude for Michigan football.
“I love the University of Michigan and its football program and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, Coach Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure. I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on.”
Now, around a year after the fact, it will be interesting to see whether his tone has changed or remained the same in the time that has passed since that day.
The episode will be available on Netflix on August 27 and is likely to unveil plenty of new details surrounding the NCAA investigation surrounding Michigan football ahead of its national championship run.
