Our Story
Jim Harbaugh and Beav
Jay Flannelly was just a dishwasher in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of the University of Michigan. Loyal to the Wolverines’ football and the university’s other sports programs, Jay lived in relative anonymity until 2015, when a perfect storm of unique publicity introduced the rest of the world to Jay, a.k.a. “The Beav.”
First came the deflategate emails. Released in summer of 2015, as part of the NFL’s legal battle with the New England Patriots’ five-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback Tom Brady, the public got their first glimpse of the guy who’s had Brady’s back for more than 20 years.
Then in September, “Endzone: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Michigan Football” was released. In it, author John U. Bacon chronicled the prodigal son-like return of Jim Harbaugh to the Michigan football program following nearly a decade of turmoil on and off the field. That’s where the maize and blue faithful met the Beav - and learned of the role he played in helping get Harbaugh back to the Big House (where he belongs.)
For that story, you’ll have to read the book. In the meantime, Jay has found himself in the cross-hairs of fame - inundated with Brady-related requests, everything from swag and autographs, to speaking engagements. Strangers began stopping him on the street for selfies with the Beav. They began stopping by his work - at Pizza House, and for a little while, at Hunter House Hamburgers - just to see him. And they stayed, to hear his tales, not just about his 20-plus year friendship with Brady, but all the other football players in his circle of friendship, his high school playing days in Andover, Mass., his love of the Boston Bruins, Celtics and New York Mets (and hatred of the Red Sox.)
But to Beav, the sudden fame had little meaning, until tragedy struck one of his closest friends. In late 2015, a couple of months after the release of Endzone, five year old Chad Carr succumbed to an inoperable brain tumor. Chad is the grandson of retired Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr and son of Jason Carr, Beav’s college roommate and longtime friend. Beav had already become involved in the #ChadTough Foundation, which raises money and awareness for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, the rare but aggressive tumor that took Chad’s life.
November 23rd, 2015 fueled this and with the power of social media, the seeds were planted for the creation of Beav’s World.
Beav's World is where friends of Jay Flannelly come for news, sports and entertainment. He has teamed up with Kathy Hoekstra, a Michigan-based writer and communications specialist (and yes, Michigan graduate and season ticket holder for U-M football), and many of his Michigan friends to create a place where idea-sharing creates an avenue to support so many wonderful charitable causes.
We want people to learn, have fun, laugh and relax while helping us to BE BETTER and DO BETTER.
Beav's World: "We are all just walking Through."
LET'S GO!
Jay Flannelly was just a dishwasher in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of the University of Michigan. Loyal to the Wolverines’ football and the university’s other sports programs, Jay lived in relative anonymity until 2015, when a perfect storm of unique publicity introduced the rest of the world to Jay, a.k.a. “The Beav.”
First came the deflategate emails. Released in summer of 2015, as part of the NFL’s legal battle with the New England Patriots’ five-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback Tom Brady, the public got their first glimpse of the guy who’s had Brady’s back for more than 20 years.
Then in September, “Endzone: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Michigan Football” was released. In it, author John U. Bacon chronicled the prodigal son-like return of Jim Harbaugh to the Michigan football program following nearly a decade of turmoil on and off the field. That’s where the maize and blue faithful met the Beav - and learned of the role he played in helping get Harbaugh back to the Big House (where he belongs.)
For that story, you’ll have to read the book. In the meantime, Jay has found himself in the cross-hairs of fame - inundated with Brady-related requests, everything from swag and autographs, to speaking engagements. Strangers began stopping him on the street for selfies with the Beav. They began stopping by his work - at Pizza House, and for a little while, at Hunter House Hamburgers - just to see him. And they stayed, to hear his tales, not just about his 20-plus year friendship with Brady, but all the other football players in his circle of friendship, his high school playing days in Andover, Mass., his love of the Boston Bruins, Celtics and New York Mets (and hatred of the Red Sox.)
But to Beav, the sudden fame had little meaning, until tragedy struck one of his closest friends. In late 2015, a couple of months after the release of Endzone, five year old Chad Carr succumbed to an inoperable brain tumor. Chad is the grandson of retired Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr and son of Jason Carr, Beav’s college roommate and longtime friend. Beav had already become involved in the #ChadTough Foundation, which raises money and awareness for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, the rare but aggressive tumor that took Chad’s life.
November 23rd, 2015 fueled this and with the power of social media, the seeds were planted for the creation of Beav’s World.
Beav's World is where friends of Jay Flannelly come for news, sports and entertainment. He has teamed up with Kathy Hoekstra, a Michigan-based writer and communications specialist (and yes, Michigan graduate and season ticket holder for U-M football), and many of his Michigan friends to create a place where idea-sharing creates an avenue to support so many wonderful charitable causes.
We want people to learn, have fun, laugh and relax while helping us to BE BETTER and DO BETTER.
Beav's World: "We are all just walking Through."
LET'S GO!