Jim Harbaugh opens up on the emotions of visiting Zak Zinter in hospital after injury

Saturday was mostly a great day for Michigan as the Wolverines beat Ohio State for the third consecutive year. However, it was also a heartbreaking day in some regards as All-American offensive lineman Zak Zinter went down with a devastating injury.

During the third quarter of Saturday’s rivalry game, Zinter had to be carted off the field after suffering a gruesome leg injury.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh shared his emotions of seeing Zinter down on the field and not being able to be at the stadium with his star player.

“The emotions were with Zak, with him, with his family. Was hoping for the best, but in your mind you start preparing for the worst,” Harbaugh said . “I saw him. I mean just so tough, so strong. There was a broken fibula and tibia. You really feel that. When you’re laying there on the field with a broken bone, those bones tend to rub together. And it’s really painful. Just what a stalwart he was.”

Harbaugh was able to visit with Zak Zinter in the hospital after the game.

Zinter was understandably upset to have suffered such a tough injury, but he was obviously thrilled with the way the game played out. Michigan was able to hold off Ohio State for a 30-24 victory.

“At the hospital, he was so happy for his team. The great news was that it was the best of the worst case scenario. Because those bones will heal,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh wasn’t sure how his team would respond after Zinter went down, but they obviously responded in a great way.

Star running back B lake Corum scored a touchdown on a 22-yard run on the first play after Zinter was carted off. Corum held up the numbers “6” and “5” after doing so.

“As a team, I know how that can affect a team. That can go one way or the other with a team,” Harbaugh said. “There could be that overall sadness for a teammate and worry and concern. And also can motivate the team. You saw that with Blake. The presence of mind, after the touchdown on the next play, to flash up the 6 5. Zak was really moved by that.”

Harbaugh was proud of the way Michigan stayed together as a team the entire game against Ohio State. That continued after the game with the Wolverines supporting their injured teammate.

“Just the way his teammates were texting, calling, etc. It was another example of the team, the team, the team,” Harbaugh said. “The team showed throughout that game and especially showed there.”