James Early Jones Once Dropped The Hardest Football Hype Video Ever for Michigan

Michigan is in mourning as one of its adoptive sons has passed on. James Earl Jones, who was born in Mississippi, and raised in Michigan, sadly passed away Monday at the age of 93, and while the rest of the world mourns a celebrity, Michigan mourns one of its own.

He was so ingrained in the state, and it's premiere University (Sorry Sparty), that back in 2017, he decided to lend his legendary voice to the loudspeakers of Michigan Stadium, and record one of the most epic introductions in football history.

2017 was a disappointing year for the Wolverines. Despite Jim Harbaugh and the boys "Up North" coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons, Michigan began to crumble halfway through the year, and finished with three straight losses to conference foes.

They fell to an 8-5 record, 5-4 in the conference, and were lucky to make the Outback Bowl, where they were beat by South Carolina. It would be their worst season under Harbaugh, aside from the odd and shortened 2020 season.

But despite the team's shortcomings, there was one bright and shining moment from that year that continues to inspire students and athletes to this day... a hype video featuring none other than the golden pipes of the late James Earl Jones.

Jones was born in Mississippi, but was moved to Dublin, Michigan at the age of five to live with his grandparents. He had a very pronounced stutter, and for the longest part of his life, the voice we so know and love today, was practically silent.

But during his time in Michigan, he decided to get his higher education at U of M, focusing on drama, which clearly led to an illustrious career. And as an added thanks to the university that gave him the opportunity to learn, and hone his craft, in 2017, he laid down, quite possibly, the most epic hype video in the history of sports.

How that year's football team didn't go completely undefeated after hearing that in the stadium every Saturday, I'll never know, but it is easily the greatest piece of hype video that any university could ever put out. THE most recognizable voice in practically the world, is hyping up your team.

I only hope they used this video as a tribute during the Wolverine's next game, because the way this season is already shaping up, they could probably use that extra boost of energy from the Wolverine with those golden pipes.

RIP James Earl Jones.