A Point Loma High football player took a very special trip last weekend after quarterbacking his team in a Friday night game.
Pointer senior Kyle Grady was working out on the University of San Diego stadium field last summer when University of Michigan head coach (and former USD head coach) Jim Harbaugh made a visit to the campus. He saw Grady and approached him, complimenting his skills and offering a preferred walk-on status to Michigan on the spot.
Harbaugh is a former University of Michigan quarterback (1982-86) and also head coach of Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers, who played professionally from 1987-2001 including a 1999-2000 stint with the San Diego Chargers.
The two hit it off, and Harbaugh invited Grady to be his guest at this year’s biggest Michigan game, its annual rivalry battle with Michigan State. Grady accepted the Wolverines’ offer at the start of this season.
So last Saturday morning, Grady left on an early morning non-stop flight to Michigan while his parents, Doug and Christina, took connecting flights, arriving later than Kyle.
Grady caught an Uber to the Ann Arbor campus to make sure he arrived well before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Harbaugh was on hand to greet Grady and pose for photos before leading his team onto the field for the big game, played in Michigan Stadium before more than 107,000 people.
“They welcomed me like family from the very start,” said Grady. “It was an amazing experience and just solidified my commitment.”
Television commentators said “severe weather” was predicted during the game, and sure enough, a drenching downpour arrived about halftime, soaking spectators including thousands of Michigan students, some of whom were shown wearing tank tops.
Unfortunately, Harbaugh’s Wolverines lost the game by a 14-10 score. But for Grady, it was a glimpse into his next opportunity.