It’s likely that nobody will remember years from now who won third annual alumni University of Michigan alumni flag football game on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. Before the game, the honorary “coaches” didn’t even know which team was in their charge.

The feeling on the field at Michigan Stadium did, however, suggest that the bond between the former players is one that won’t soon be forgotten.

“It’s a lot about returning to the tradition of Michigan and it’s just really fun to get out there,” said former linebacker David Dobreff (1990-’92).

On Friday night, coach Brady Hoke spoke to close to 400 former players about the tradition of Michigan football and keeping them involved. Many of the former Wolverines who suited up for the flag football contest praised the meeting and the good feelings seemed to spill over onto the field on Saturday.

"It was great, really a great experience to hear him talk and then to come out here today and have some fun," said former quarterback John Navarre (1999-'03).

“We got so many Michigan men from so many different eras,” said former tailback Gerald White (1983-’86). “To be able to come together, just experience this to talk about what’s happened in the past, what’s happening now and what’s going to happen in the future, there’s no greater experience.”

Of course there was a game to be played and that wasn’t lost on the former players. Though their 40-yard dash times and vertical leaps may have diminished significantly, their competitiveness hadn’t waned.

White - who played on the Maize team - snuck over to the officials before the game and handed off an unidentified object to jeers from the other players.

“There was nothing in the handshake ... but everything’s in the handshake,” White said when asked if he bribed the officials.

White caught a touchdown pass, but whether he was the beneficiary of any favorable calls was left to speculation, which many players did.

The Blue team thought the Maize team had an advantage in terms of average age as well.

“You usually compare the amount of knee replacements on each side,” former quarterback Spencer Brinton (2002-’04) said. “And I think the Maize team had the definite advantage on that.”

The Blue team definitely had the eldest statesmen on their side, Jerry Leith (’55-’59) who actually played when the winged helmets were leather. Leith’s two artificial hips kept him from the field of play, but he couldn’t resist a prediction for the incoming coaching regime.

“He’s gonna kick major ass,” Leith said of Hoke.

Most of all, a lot of fun was had by former players spanning generations. Even former coaches Jerry Hanlon and Bobby Morrison were on hand to serve as honorary coaches.

Just how serious their actual “coaching” duties were being taken could was revealed after Hanlon said he was picking the Maize team to win by 10 points.

“Aren’t you the coach of the Blue team,” Morrison asked after hearing Hanlon’s prediction.

“I don’t know,” Hanlon said.

The Blue team won 38-30 in the end and the grand prize for team MVP Alijah Bradley (2003-’06): a 10-foot 2-inch trophy which towered over the diminutive Bradley.

Many of the former players spoke about a return of the Michigan tradition, though none cared to delve into what was missing in the Rich Rodriguez era.

Ohene Opong-Owusu (2007-’09) - who played under Rodriguez - said he hopes to see more players from the Rich Rod era at alumni events in the future.

“Coming back to some of these events, some of the people feel like because of their experiences that they don’t relate to some of the older guys,” said Opong-Owusu “When people start talking about the old days and they might not be able to relate so much because their time wasn’t spent going to bowls.

“What I try to tell people, regardless of what your experience was here, wins or losses we’re still a family, so whether they were under Rich Rod or whatever, you still wear your M-ring and there’s still that bond so whether good or bad, it’s always good to come back.”

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercuningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.