Former Fab Five star Chris Weber returned to the University of Michigan on Saturday afternoon, serving as an honorary captain ahead of Michigan’s matchup against Penn State. He was seen on the sidelines about a half hour before kickoff, and then took the field along with Michigan’s captains for the coin toss and received an ovation from the crowd when he was shown on the scoreboard; he acknowledged the crowd with a hand wave.
Chris Webber takes the field for the coin toss. @chengelis pic.twitter.com/drdJiUawHv
— David Guralnick (@DavidGuralnick) November 3, 2018
Chris Webber gets a warm reception pic.twitter.com/pTXjtICr7w
— angelique (@chengelis) November 3, 2018
It was his first public appearance at Michigan since his 10-year disassociation clause ended in 2013. He had been banned from the school for 10 years in 2003 after accepting money from booster Ed Martin.
The ovation for Webber is what Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was anticipating.
“The loyal Michigan fans that write to me and I hear from are excited about it,” Harbaugh said Wednesday during a radio appearance with 97.1 (WXYT-FM). “That’s the reaction I would expect.”
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Weber helped the Wolverines to the Final Four in 1992 and 1993, but is perhaps unfortunately best known for his infamous time-out against UNC when his team didn’t have any left. He also hasn’t had the best relationship with his former Fab Five teammates.
Weber appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” earlier this summer and expressed hope that a full Fab Five reunion would happen sometime soon.
“There’s nothing I would want more than that,” Webber said. “I think that we’re on the right path for that. I think there has to be conversation, organically. People were pushing it for money because of that (ESPN) doc, but you have to be sincere, address and then move forward because all the other stuff is still going to be there.
“For the fans, for myself, for my family, hopefully I think it’s something we’re working toward.”
Meanwhile, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein was optimistic about Webber meeting with the basketball program over the weekend.
“There’s been some discussion on that, yeah,” Beilein said Thursday. “And so I don’t know how much Chris wants me to say, but we hope we can get together this weekend.”
