“The Netflix documentary Untold: Sign Stealer delves into the controversy surrounding Connor Stalions, a former staffer for the Michigan Wolverines. However, for those who are not familiar with football, the concept of sign stealing may be unfamiliar.”
This is a valid question, particularly because the Untold series on the streaming service caters to a broad true crime audience by showcasing bizarre tales from the realm of sports.
In the previous year, our episodes focused on Jake Paul, Johnny Manziel (also known as Johnny Football), and Victor Conte. In Season 4, we have highlighted the release of Untold: The Murder of Air McNair.
Next up for scrutiny is the Stalions and Michigan Wolverines’ winning streak, which has come under fire due to accusations of sign stealing. If you’re feeling lost, don’t worry – we’ll explain.
Sign Stealing Explained
The act of sign stealing in football involves the observation and decoding of signals used by coaches to communicate play calls to their team during a game.
Hand signals and gestures are commonly used by teams to communicate instructions to players on the field. Through accurately interpreting these signals, the opposing team can predict the plays, giving them a significant strategic edge.
It is widely believed that sign stealing is a widespread practice in college football, yet it is rarely acknowledged openly. As a result, many teams alter their signal patterns or employ fake signalers in order to counteract this issue, despite the difficulties it may present for the team.
According to a 2020 Sports Illustrated article on sign stealing, some staff members possess a unique ability to identify signal combinations and patterns.
“Certain individuals possess a skill for interpreting body language – they can easily identify a phony signaler due to their lack of effort in producing fake signals.”
In 2023, the Michigan Wolverines football program was caught up in a scandal surrounding the theft of signs. The controversy began with the hiring of the Stalions in 2021, during a period of poor performance for the team.
He was provided with the necessary time and resources to familiarize himself with the signs of the opposing teams, resulting in the creation of databases, maps, and manifestos with the goal of improving the performance of the Michigan Wolverines.
Despite his hard work, the team faced multiple losses during the 2023 season. However, the situation escalated when the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) initiated an investigation.
Is Sign Stealing Against The Rules?
Stealing signs is not inherently against the rules or illegal in college football. The manner in which the information is acquired is the determining factor.
Although in-game observation and decoding are commonly allowed, the use of technology to capture signals and physically scout upcoming opponents is strictly prohibited.
According to rule 11.6.1 of the NCAA, scouting future opponents in person off-campus during the same season is not allowed, unless otherwise specified in the bylaws.
The NCAA initiated an investigation into the Michigan Wolverines after allegations arose that Stalions had been paying individuals to scout for signs across the nation.
In late 2023, one of the most shocking events occurred when Stalions was suspended during the investigation and later resigned from his position.
ESPN has received a copy of the NCAA’s accusations, which state that Stalions was present on the sideline of Central Michigan University’s season opener against Michigan State in September 2023. He was allegedly wearing a bench pass, coaching attire, and a disguise.
The draft further asserted that the Stalions’ actions had a detrimental effect on the NCAA collegiate model by either compromising its integrity or posing a threat to it.
In the documentary Untold: Sign Stealer, Stalions denies ever engaging in advance scouting. When presented with a photograph supposedly showing him on the sidelines at CMU, he refutes, “I don’t believe this person even resembles me.”
In the documentary, he previously stated, “I don’t follow the rules, I manipulate them.”Despite this, the scandal has left a lasting impact on the college football world.
As mentioned in the Netflix documentary, the NCAA will implement the Stalions Rule in 2024, which permits in-helmet communications and effectively eliminates sign stealing. This rule has been widely referred to as The Stalions Rule.
“Connor received a noticed of allegations from the NCAA on August 25, 2024, which included a proposed three-year coaching ban. He plans to contest the allegations through the complete infractions process.”
The University of Michigan was also faced with allegations from the NCAA for institutional violations and was accused of engaging in advanced, in-person sign stealing.
The documentary Untold: Sign Stealer is currently available on Netflix. Don’t miss out on the other upcoming documentaries and TV shows on streaming this month, or the top sports movies to add to your watchlist.
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