Netflix’s Untold: Sign Stealer delves into the intriguing story of Connor Stalions, a former staff member of the University of Michigan Football team. In 2023, the Michigan Wolverines faced accusations of engaging in ‘sign-stealing,’ a violation of NCAA regulations, prompting an investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Sign stealing refers to the tactic of trying to identify hand signals used by opposing teams’ coaches to decode their strategies. This issue has gained prominence with the rise of no-huddle offenses in modern football.
Connor Stalions, associated with the Michigan Wolverines, was accused of attending over 30 games across 11 different Big Ten schools to secure a competitive edge for his team. He allegedly utilized electronic devices and devised a comprehensive paper trail to decipher hand signals used by coaching staff and their corresponding meanings.
While the former defensive coordinator has resigned, investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Connor Stalions Takes Center Stage in Netflix’s Untold: Sign Stealer
Despite Stalions’ resignation, the investigation continues, and to date, no direct evidence has emerged linking head coach Jim Harbaugh or his coaching team to the ‘sign-stealer’ scandal. Nevertheless, Harbaugh received a suspension from the Big 10 in November 2023 for the last three games of the previous season.
Additionally, linebackers coach Chris Partridge was discharged for guiding players on how to respond to inquiries related to the sign-stealing controversy. Given the media attention surrounding the scandal, further actions are anticipated, especially with the story now featured in Netflix’s Untold series.
The episode premiered on August 27, 2024, featuring interviews with Connor Stalions himself. A native of Michigan, Stalions is a former player who volunteered with the Wolverines for several seasons before being appointed as an off-field analyst in May 2022.
In October 2023, allegations surfaced claiming that Stalions was involved in an extensive sign-stealing operation for Michigan football, aimed at giving his team a competitive advantage. Reports indicated that he purchased tickets for at least 35 games across 17 different stadiums during this time.
He attended games for 12 of Michigan’s Big Ten rivals, purchasing tickets under his own name. Stalions asserted in the documentary that sign-stealing is a widespread practice among teams, claiming in a trailer for Untold: Sign Stealer:
“If I’m a bad guy, then everyone in football is a bad guy.”
The documentary allows the embattled former employee to present his side of the story, marking his first public address regarding the allegations through Sign Stealer.
Stalions’ legal representatives argue that any evidence against him, such as spreadsheets and handwritten notes, was acquired through illegal hacking and therefore should not be admissible. Furthermore, the investigation has reinforced the notion that sign-stealing is a prevalent practice in the sport, potentially necessitating rule modifications to prevent it in the future.
As it currently stands, the NCAA’s course of action regarding Connor Stalions remains unclear. He has been implicated in the scandal, yet the practice itself appears to be widespread throughout the league.
Untold: Sign Stealer is now streaming on Netflix.
Read more here for additional context.
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