Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh Praises Sheriff Swanson at Genesee County Ignite Event

University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh visited the Genesee County Jail today (7/21), praising Sheriff Chris Swanson for his work in the community.

Harbaugh and several of his team's players served meals at the jail and spoke with inmates as part of Sheriff Swanson's IGNITE program. Swanson's pet project is designed to educate inmates in order to prepare them to successfully re-enter society.

The coach recognized Sheriff Swanson's commitment to inmate rehabilitation, noting that he cares about inmates' futures.

"Sheriff Swanson cares," Harbaugh notes in the video below. "Educating and treating people like human beings - not calling them inmates, calling them students."

Beyond the Genesee County Jail, Michigan players and coaches painted a mural, stuffed backpacks, helped with beautification projects, and joined members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Flint to create care packages.

Wolverines Tour the State of Michigan

In addition to the visit to the jail, about 120 Wolverines will join the United Way and Randy Wise team members to host a carnival for elementary and middle school students in Flint.

From there, the team will continue its trek across the state to visit some of Michigan's most popular tourist spots.

Sheriff Swanson thanked Harbaugh for the team's participation in today's events, saying that it validates the hard work he's done to improve the success rate he's seen with inmates becoming functioning members of society.

"Of all the places in the world, you know [Michigan football players] take world trips, they said 'we're going to start in Flint,'" Swanson said. "I think that's the greatest validation."

 

[The Wolverine]