ANN ARBOR, MI — Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood brought his best Batman energy for the The One Nine Superhero Ball at Michigan Medicine’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Wednesday night.
Underwood, who earned the nickname “Batman” from associate head coach Biff Poggi for his calm confidence, met with dozens of young patients and families for an evening of joy, inspiration, and superhero-themed fun.
Underwood snapped photos, signed autographs and posed with patients, their families and a team of ten volunteers from the University of Michigan Credit Union.
“Just having these kids — their day made by me running into the building is a blessing,” he said. ”It’s surreal. It’s a surreal feeling… I remember being a big fan of football as a kid, of course, so any opportunity I have to give back, that’s what I want to do.“
The event featured appearances by other superhero characters, including Spiderman and Captain America, as well as superhero-themed face painting by Pretty Faces by Miss Kitty. Livonia-based Storyfi provided an interactive green-screen video that turned patients into flying heroes.
“It came from my interim head coach, Biff Poggi,” Underwood said of his comparison to the caped crusader. “After the game, he just said something about me being Batman, and it stuck.”
Poggi, who was filling in for head coach Sherrone Moore, made the comment on camera during a Big Ten Network interview after Wolverines defeated Central Michigan 63-3 earlier in the season. Underwood threw for 235 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
“He might actually be Batman — we need to do a DNA test on him,” Poggi said.
Michigan football is headed into their second bye week of the season, coming off a victory over Purdue, and will be traveling to Chicago to face Northwestern on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Wrigley Field.
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