Former University of Michigan football analyst Connor Stalions, who found himself embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal that broke out last fall, is now the subject of significant chatter in the sports world following the release of a new Netflix documentary, "Untold: Sign Stealer." The documentary dropped on Tuesday and is thrusting new light on the intricate elements of the scandal that once cost Stalions his job. According to CBS News Detroit, Stalions' tale has become the latest conversation piece, detailing his side of a story that previously led to his resignation from Michigan amidst an NCAA investigation.
The film reveals Stalions' initial pathways into football, beginning with his stint at the Naval Academy and his role as an analyst for Jim Harbaugh’s staff at the University of Michigan, despite the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal conduct, the Detroit Free Press shares in-detail revelations from the documentary about Stalions’ involvement in the sign-stealing ops and his claims of innocence, stating he used methods similar to those employed by staff across the country. Stalions argues he exploited, rather than outright broke, the rules in place claiming "I'd argue I don't break the rules. I just walk a very fine line to the gray. I exploit the rules I don't break the rules, I exploit them. And I don't regret a thing. Every single day I treated it like this day depended on Michigan winning a national championship," according to Detroit Free Press.
The Netflix series has brought the scandal back into the public eye, coinciding with the University of Michigan receiving its notice of allegations from the NCAA post-investigation. The documentary is a part of Netflix's "Untold" sports docuseries, providing a platform for Stalions to break his silence, "Sign Stealer," specifically touches on his defense strategies and his overall process of deciphering the opponent's signals on the field, reports USA TODAY NETWORK.
However, not just defensing his actions, the film also throws accusations toward Michigan's bitter rivals; Stalions alleges an investigation into the sign-stealing scenario was spurred by Ohio State’s discontent following losses to the Wolverines, Stalions’ attorney asserts the investigation stemmed from a spreadsheet that was potentially obtained through the hacking of Stalions' email, this claim throws enigmatic shades over the whole incident, according to Detroit Free Press.