Social media has mixed reaction to Michigan football “Free Harbaugh” shirts

Yesterday, ahead of the Wolverines’ season opener against East Carolina, JJ McCarthy and others on the Michigan football roster donned “Free Harbaugh” shirts in support of Jim Harbaugh, who is suspended for three games this year. That said, Harbaugh was suspended by the University of Michigan, not the NCAA, prompting some social media backlash for the Maize and Blue.

Social media divided on Michigan football players wearing “Free Harbaugh” shirts

Jim Harbaugh has now served one game of his three-game self-imposed suspension, which was implemented by the school last month. Still, despite the NCAA allowing Harbaugh to play the entire 2023 season, Michigan football is not happy that he has been suspended — this was quite evident before and after yesterday’s season-opening win over the East Carolina Pirates.

While JJ McCarthy and the other Wolverines’ shirts were met with enthusiasm from the Michigan football fan base — which is also upset about the suspensions — social media seemed to disagree. Seeing as the suspensions are self-imposed, many began to grill the Maize and Blue for their response. Here are just a few of the responses from social media yesterday (on both sides) after Michigan’s 30-3 win.

Self imposed, what are we doing here pic.twitter.com/91uwRjPmsU

— Jim Costa (@JimCosta_) September 2, 2023

Do the players know the suspension is self-imposed https://t.co/pujLo3Giy5

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) September 2, 2023

who doesn’t love making yourselves the victims

— Portland Pickles (@picklesbaseball) September 2, 2023

At the same time, as I mentioned, many Michigan football fans were thrilled with the shirts.

FREE HARBAUGH 🗣️〽️ pic.twitter.com/P28ueqq3bk

— Barstool Blue (@BarstoolUofM) September 2, 2023

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#FreeHarbaugh pic.twitter.com/RVvwllGi3s

— Nate Lewis (@NateLewis77) September 2, 2023

A FREE HARBAUGH shirt on the sidelines pic.twitter.com/SwG7mT951e

— Patrick Barron 🐻🦬🏈 (@BlueBarronPhoto) September 2, 2023

Jim Harbaugh will make his return to the Michigan football sideline during Week 4 of the coming season against Rutgers.

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