I'm curious to hear from the board on this. What is Michigan football to you? What is your "why" - why did you become a Michigan fan, or why does it matter today?
For me, the answer has changed as I've grown older (I'm about to turn 40, FWIW). Growing up, Michigan football was equal parts spending time with my dad, grandpa, and brothers + all of the pageantry (the game day atmosphere, the mob of fans tailgaiting, the fight song, etc. As I got into my HS and college years, the fan in me took over more and more and I really wanted to see the team win. Fast forward to my late 20's, and my wife and I got married and moved to Florida for her to pursue her PhD (and unfortunately, have been stuck down here ever since). It's no longer a 90 minute drive to the stadium, and anytime I get a chance to get back to a game....it just means so much more.
Things have no come full circle for me, as it relates to Michigan. It's all about the time spent with my wife and kids, and the added bond that Michigan creates amongst us. We now have 2 daughters (9 and 7), and a son who is almost 1 and a half. I make a conscious effort to not push my kids into anything - whether it's playing sports, watching sports, or most anything. Both of my daughters fandom started with the 2021 OSU game. It was the first time they actually both sat down and watched a large portion of any Michigan game. I still remember walking to a nearby park after that game, and them wanting to throw the football. I told my wife we were driving up to Indy if they won that game, and sure enough we made the trip and it's one of my favorite memories as a family. Side note - on the way back (almost home to FL) my wife got the news that our 3rd baby was a boy. What a thrill that entire trip was.
Fast forward to now, and my oldest is really getting into sports in general. She has a really bright mind, very smart, and remembers things incredibly well. She now has a good understanding of football, baseball, basketball and how the games are played, rules, officiating, etc. It's been so much fun to interact with her while watching games. The other night I took her out for a dinner date, and she looks over and says "Daddy, I think Michigan is going to win the championship this year". I replied (with a big smile, of course) "Yeah? Why do you think that?" And her response was "because they didn't lose many really good players, and they have JJ and Blake back". It was one of those moments that I kind of stopped, and thought to myself how is she processing all of this?
So, I suppose my "why" is a combination of family and memories. Watching Michigan win, and specifically get back to beating Ohio State, is a joy. But at the end of the day, it's all about the cherished time spent with family, and the memories that have been created over the years. Michigan football is, and always will be, more than winning football games for me.
For me, the answer has changed as I've grown older (I'm about to turn 40, FWIW). Growing up, Michigan football was equal parts spending time with my dad, grandpa, and brothers + all of the pageantry (the game day atmosphere, the mob of fans tailgaiting, the fight song, etc. As I got into my HS and college years, the fan in me took over more and more and I really wanted to see the team win. Fast forward to my late 20's, and my wife and I got married and moved to Florida for her to pursue her PhD (and unfortunately, have been stuck down here ever since). It's no longer a 90 minute drive to the stadium, and anytime I get a chance to get back to a game....it just means so much more.
Things have no come full circle for me, as it relates to Michigan. It's all about the time spent with my wife and kids, and the added bond that Michigan creates amongst us. We now have 2 daughters (9 and 7), and a son who is almost 1 and a half. I make a conscious effort to not push my kids into anything - whether it's playing sports, watching sports, or most anything. Both of my daughters fandom started with the 2021 OSU game. It was the first time they actually both sat down and watched a large portion of any Michigan game. I still remember walking to a nearby park after that game, and them wanting to throw the football. I told my wife we were driving up to Indy if they won that game, and sure enough we made the trip and it's one of my favorite memories as a family. Side note - on the way back (almost home to FL) my wife got the news that our 3rd baby was a boy. What a thrill that entire trip was.
Fast forward to now, and my oldest is really getting into sports in general. She has a really bright mind, very smart, and remembers things incredibly well. She now has a good understanding of football, baseball, basketball and how the games are played, rules, officiating, etc. It's been so much fun to interact with her while watching games. The other night I took her out for a dinner date, and she looks over and says "Daddy, I think Michigan is going to win the championship this year". I replied (with a big smile, of course) "Yeah? Why do you think that?" And her response was "because they didn't lose many really good players, and they have JJ and Blake back". It was one of those moments that I kind of stopped, and thought to myself how is she processing all of this?
So, I suppose my "why" is a combination of family and memories. Watching Michigan win, and specifically get back to beating Ohio State, is a joy. But at the end of the day, it's all about the cherished time spent with family, and the memories that have been created over the years. Michigan football is, and always will be, more than winning football games for me.
