Detroit Free Press

GAME IS HUGE — AT LEAST IT IS FOR NOW

GAME IS HUGE — AT LEAST IT IS FOR NOW

* Lions 23, Green Bay 19: The Biggest Game Of The Year -- this week, so far, until now, depending on what happens.* Philadelphia 19, Dallas 17: When it comes to the Eagles' playoff chances, I paraphrase a famous quote: If not now, when, if not Cowboys, then who?
JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO WATCH BERNIE BURN

JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO WATCH BERNIE BURN

Khhlmmphph!Thought I'd parachute into this column.And now, sticking with that theme, allow me to parachute into your charitable thoughts, the way "Fan Man" -- that's what he's calling himself -- came parachuting into the ring Saturday night in Las Vegas. (In the old days, by the way, a guy interrupts a big fight, they beat him up and leave him in the street. Today, he goes to the hospital and gets a Movie of the Week.)
THE TITLE BOUNCES MSU’S WAY

THE TITLE BOUNCES MSU’S WAY

EAST LANSING -- The miracle came so fast, so crazy, that now, minutes after the victory, no one could recall how it happened. Was it Ken who knocked it from Tony, or Dwayne who knocked it from Steve? Did Mark dive for the ball? Wait. Was Mark even in there? Who knew? Who could keep it straight? It was the madcap final minute of a madcap Big Ten championship and the players were like pinballs bouncing off the rubber -- ping! -- the ball came loose -- ping! -- the ball came loose again . . .
THE WAR … NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO MATTER

THE WAR … NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO MATTER

In some ways, this is the hardest column I have ever had to write, hard because, for the first time in my life, I have no interest in writing it. This has never happened before. I love my work. I love wandering around the sports world, breathing in its funny drama, writing it down.
SLIP-SLIDING — CHIK-CHIK — INTO SUPER SUNDAY

SLIP-SLIDING — CHIK-CHIK — INTO SUPER SUNDAY

NEW ORLEANS -- A-hem. If we can have your attention, please. We are about to begin the slide show entitled "Our Week At The Super Bowl" or "Get That Cigar Out Of My Face You Ugly Denver Mutant." This is a close-up view of the life of a sports writer, and should not be confused with the TV show "Wild Kingdom," although parts may look the same.
WHEATLEY LEGS IT FOR U-MHIS 3 TDS WIN THE ROSES FOR MICHIGAN

WHEATLEY LEGS IT FOR U-MHIS 3 TDS WIN THE ROSES FOR MICHIGAN

PASADENA, Calif. -- Suddenly, the grass had turned to track, the football to a baton, and he was back in his lane, chugging his arms and lifting his legs and leaving them all in the dust. Tyrone Wheatley was gone, baby, he was cape and boots, nobody would touch him. The crowd was roaring and the TV announcers were gushing and the end zone was getting closer and closer, he was going in -- he was going in! -- the longest run in the history of the Rose Bowl, 88 yards of gobbled grass, and nobody knew that he was doing it all on one leg. The right leg.
WHO’S THE BOSS? NO ONE IN PISTONS’ SITCOM

WHO’S THE BOSS? NO ONE IN PISTONS’ SITCOM

When NBA players start treating their coach like a substitute math teacher, it's time to say good-bye. Ron Rothstein was liked by few, tolerated by most, and flat-out ignored by others. It is no surprise he is fired this morning. I keep waiting for an eraser to hit him in the back of his head.Bye, Ron. Enjoy the money. Find an island and try to bring down your blood pressure.

Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.

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