Former Ohio State Quarterback Braxton Miller Taunts Michigan Superfan Dave Portnoy With 3-Word Message
Rivalries in sports often bring out the best (and sometimes the worst) in athletes, fans, and even the media personalities who cover them. One of the most famous and intense rivalries in college football is the annual showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. The stakes are always high, the atmosphere is electric, and the players’ emotions run deep. But sometimes, the rivalry extends beyond the field, spilling over into the world of social media, where fans, athletes, and media figures can taunt and tease one another with impunity. That’s exactly what happened when former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller took a shot at Michigan superfan Dave Portnoy in a highly publicized exchange on Twitter.
A Rivalry That Defines the Sport
The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is one of the oldest and most storied in college football. For over a century, these two teams have battled it out on the gridiron, with both sides having passionate fanbases that take the competition to heart. This rivalry isn’t just about football; it represents a cultural divide, with Ohio State fans looking down on Michigan as their primary antagonist and vice versa. The disdain between the two fanbases runs deep, and the players are well aware of the history they are a part of when they suit up for these games.
In the realm of college football, certain names rise above the rest, becoming legends not just because of their athletic prowess but because of the way they embody the passion and spirit of their respective programs. Braxton Miller is one such name in Ohio State history. As a dual-threat quarterback for the Buckeyes, Miller led his team with remarkable success, becoming one of the most dynamic players in college football during his time at Ohio State. His performances in the Ohio State vs. Michigan games were memorable, with Miller’s contributions helping to cement his place in Buckeye lore.
Dave Portnoy, on the other hand, is a figure known for his brash, often controversial takes on sports and life. The founder of Barstool Sports, Portnoy is a self-proclaimed Michigan superfan, known for his outspoken support of the Wolverines. His larger-than-life persona and sometimes combative approach to sports commentary have made him a polarizing figure, but no one can deny his influence, especially among college football fans.
The Exchange: Braxton Miller’s Taunt
In this particular case, Braxton Miller’s taunt toward Dave Portnoy was as direct as it was concise. Miller, who was a standout for Ohio State from 2011 to 2015, posted a three-word message on Twitter that sent shockwaves through the sports world. The message? “Michigan still sucks.”
While this may seem like a simple and somewhat playful jab to the average observer, for fans of Ohio State and Michigan, it was a statement laden with significance. For Ohio State fans, it was a reminder of the Buckeyes’ dominance over Michigan in recent years, particularly during Miller’s time as a player. For Michigan fans, especially those closely associated with Portnoy, it was a direct attack on their beloved Wolverines, delivered by a former player who had enjoyed a great deal of success in the rivalry.
The timing of the message was crucial. It came during a period when the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry was once again heating up, with both teams jockeying for position in the Big Ten and national rankings. At that moment, Ohio State was enjoying a run of dominance, having defeated Michigan several times in the past decade, with their most recent victory coming in 2020. Michigan, on the other hand, had struggled to keep up with Ohio State’s success, leading to mounting frustration among their fans.
Portnoy, as a vocal Michigan supporter, immediately took to social media to respond, firing back at Miller’s taunt with characteristic bravado. For Portnoy, the rivalry with Ohio State was personal. He often mocked Ohio State’s fanbase and players, and he wasn’t about to let Miller’s jab go unanswered.
The Role of Social Media in Sports Rivalries
What made this taunt particularly significant wasn’t just the words themselves, but the platform through which they were delivered. Social media has changed the way rivalries play out in the modern age. No longer confined to the field or the stands, these exchanges now happen in real-time on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Athletes, fans, and media personalities can engage with each other directly, whether to build their own brands, promote their teams, or simply take shots at their rivals.
In this case, Miller’s tweet served as a reminder of how social media can be used as a tool for both personal expression and professional promotion. Miller, as an athlete with a strong social media presence, had the ability to reach a large audience with a single tweet. And in doing so, he capitalized on the longstanding rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, reminding everyone of the historical context of their competition.
For Portnoy, the exchange was a perfect example of how social media allows him to fuel his persona as the ultimate Michigan fan. His response to Miller’s taunt only stoked the flames of the rivalry, ensuring that the back-and-forth would continue long after the tweet was posted. As both a media mogul and a fan, Portnoy’s engagement in this online exchange was part of his larger strategy to amplify his brand and maintain his status as one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media.
The Deeper Meaning Behind the Taunt
At its surface, the exchange between Braxton Miller and Dave Portnoy was just a playful online taunt. But on a deeper level, it spoke to the enduring power of college football rivalries and the ways in which athletes and fans use these moments to define their identities. For Miller, the taunt was a chance to reinforce his legacy as a player who had been a part of Ohio State’s continued success against Michigan. For Portnoy, it was an opportunity to defend his beloved Wolverines and continue his role as a provocateur in the sports media world.
The message “Michigan still sucks” also speaks to the long-standing tension between the two schools and fanbases. Despite Michigan’s efforts to return to prominence, Ohio State has remained the dominant force in the Big Ten, and the rivalry is often defined by moments like these—where a quick quip or clever remark can serve as a reminder of one team’s superiority over the other.
For fans, these exchanges are often the highlight of the offseason, offering a form of entertainment and a way to continue the rivalry even when the teams aren’t playing each other. They serve as a reminder that college football is about more than just the games—it’s about the culture, the passion, and the lifelong loyalty to a team and its traditions.
Conclusion
The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan has evolved over the years, but the intensity and emotion that define it have remained unchanged. Braxton Miller’s three-word taunt to Michigan superfan Dave Portnoy was just another chapter in this ongoing saga, one that highlights the power of social media in amplifying these passionate rivalries. Whether in the stands, on the field, or online, these moments serve as a reminder of why sports rivalries continue to capture the imagination of fans everywhere. For Ohio State fans, Miller’s message was a victory lap, while for Michigan supporters like Portnoy, it was yet another reason to rally behind their team and prepare for the next battle. The rivalry may never end, but that’s what makes it so enduring—and so entertaining.
