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CMU football coach Jim McElwain has gone viral for his reference to Connor Stalions amid the Michigan sign-stealing scandal and reports that Central Michigan is investigating a photo on social media that shows a Stalions lookalike on the team’s sideline.
The man, who has not been identified, resembles Stalions and is decked out in Chippewas gear, during the team’s game against Michigan State.
NEW: @TheAthletic has obtained more photos of the goatee'd sunglasses person on the Central Michigan sideline at Michigan State.
CMU is looking into whether this is Connor Stalions.
Story: https://t.co/79siEcZ89r pic.twitter.com/R5AyslTIWF
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 31, 2023
When asked about the university looking into Stalions potentially being on the team’s sideline, McElwain had an unintentionally hilarious comment that X users could not get enough of.
McElwain did not mention Stalions by name but did end up giving social media a now-viral nickname.
Full quote from CMU Head coach Jim McElwain: pic.twitter.com/AjKf37JhRf
— Kennedy Broadwell (@BroadwellK) November 1, 2023
“We obviously are aware of a picture floating around with the sign-stealer guy. Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it,” the Chippewas head coach said.
“We were totally unaware of it. I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape or form.”
The wildest part in the “is it or is it not Stalions on the sideline?” saga is that neither Central Michigan nor Michigan has outright said it was not. It would be simple for either school to say, “yes, that is [insert name here]” or “We have no idea who that man is.”
Instead, we just know it’s a mystery man being investigated to see if he is the “sign-stealer guy.”
In the meantime, we’ll just have to sit back and wait to see which crazy twist and turn the story next left, because between the alleged widespread operation and sign-stealer guy’s Michigan Manifesto, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
You can check out some of the reactions to McElwain’s comments below.
Went from “Shark Humper Guy” to “Sign Stealer Guy” https://t.co/Byf1adYZqB
— David Soderquist (@HightopDave) November 1, 2023
“The sign stealer guy.”
Michigan is so embarrassing. https://t.co/M6LjgWcmkL— Kauai0604 (@Kauai0604) November 1, 2023
“Sign stealer guy” https://t.co/UyJpLQ8Qob pic.twitter.com/f8TZalV6NM
— David Soderquist (@HightopDave) November 1, 2023
Imagine being called “sign stealer guy” by the CMU head coach as he explains to the press he has no idea who the person pictured in the photos was, why he was on the CMU sideline, and how he got there. You guys are toast.
— Thompson Paul (@SpartyattheDive) November 1, 2023
Stalions: I'm here to get my sideline pass
Admin: Name?
Stalions: Sign Stealer Guy— SGT USMC (@SGTGreenUSMC) November 1, 2023
The sign stealer guy is a freaking hilarious line. 💀 https://t.co/bmA8Qs6e0R
— Carrie (@WhoDeyBucks) November 1, 2023
