Detroit Free Press

WAS WOLVERINES’ WIN THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

WAS WOLVERINES’ WIN THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Well, it didn't take long. The first Impossible To Answer Sports Question of 1986 came in the late afternoon of January 1, when the final gun went off here at the Fiesta Bowl.Did Michigan win it? Or did Nebraska lose it?I figure you can make a case for either side. And you will. Depending on what colors you prefer in your sweaters, blue or red.This was one of those games that people argue about in the car ride home, each one countering the other with a seemingly valid point, until they all go hoarse and have to turn on the radio.
SPARTANS GET ‘A’ FOR EFFORT,BUT THEY ALSO KNOW THE SCORE

SPARTANS GET ‘A’ FOR EFFORT,BUT THEY ALSO KNOW THE SCORE

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- All afternoon, the only thing that hung in their way was the scoreboard. They were clobbering the national champions, hurting them, leaving them dizzy. Michigan State had Notre Dame breathless and confused; the Spartans had them every which way but beaten. The scoreboard. The damn scoreboard. If only they could pound that thing, tackle it, knock it silly until it coughed up some points the way the Fighting Irish had been coughing up the football.
NHL AND NFL CONNECTED BY A HIGHWAY FROM HELL

NHL AND NFL CONNECTED BY A HIGHWAY FROM HELL

Can I tell you something about the NFL draft? It starts early. Can I tell you something about the NHL playoffs? They end late. So only a complete fool would try to cover the latter in Canada and the former in the United States within an eight-hour span, right? Only an absolute idiot?Hey. I had a plan.
IT’S MORE THAN JUST A TIE FOR MOELLERS FROM ILLINOIS

IT’S MORE THAN JUST A TIE FOR MOELLERS FROM ILLINOIS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- There were four seconds left; the score was tied and Andy Moeller, blood smeared across his uniform, was rocking back and forth on his feet, just trying to time his leap.A piece. That's all he wanted. Just a piece of the football. He knew this field goal try by Illinois would be the last play of the game.A piece. Just a piece.The crowd of 76,000 sucked in its breath. Everything was riding on the kick. For Illinois. For Michigan. And for Andy Moeller and his father, Gary -- the Wolverines' defensive coordinator -- who had ties to both.
DETROIT PLUGGED IN AGAIN

DETROIT PLUGGED IN AGAIN

Adrian Dantley came spinning out of yet another basket, a beautiful fast break, and he got the foul, the crowd went wild, and he whirled toward the Detroit bench on bended knee, made a fist, and ooooh, ooooh, was he actually going to . . . smile? Well. Almost. What do you want? Miracles? A smile from Master Scowl was the only thing missing in this grab bag of gestures that was Detroit's 122-104 playoff win at the Silverdome.
OLD-FASHIONED FOOTBALL FUELS WOLVERINES OVER UPSTARTS

OLD-FASHIONED FOOTBALL FUELS WOLVERINES OVER UPSTARTS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Jeff George, the Illinois quarterback, fidgeted with his helmet strap. This was his time, wasn't it? The final seven minutes. He was the miracle man, the can-do kid. He does more with a football in the closing minutes than some teams do all afternoon. Hands on hips. Look up. Look down. It was his time.
ISIAH, THE HORSE? OF COURSE, OF COURSE

ISIAH, THE HORSE? OF COURSE, OF COURSE

First let me say that Isiah Thomas is quick and smart and warm and funny and an extremely talented basketball player who deserves everything he gets. So I am not surprised his face is on the front of Coke cans, and that he has just signed with a local TV station.It is the path of success: Isiah Thomas, the man. Isiah Thomas, the TV star. Isiah Thomas, the endorsement spokesman.Isiah Thomas, the horse.The horse?

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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