ANN ARBOR – Still rough around the edges, yet, the University of Michigan Wolverines are a visible work in progress that appear to be making strides towards being a viable Big Ten challenger. Michigan’s hold-on-for-dear-life and cardiac approach to football leaves many still scratching their collective heads even after its come-from-behind 36-33 victory over the almost ready for primetime Hoosiers.
Sunday’s game versus the Washington Redskins was a far cry from last weekend’s sellout at Ford Field. After the Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings in their first home game of the 2009 season, increasing their winless streak to an incredible 19 games, the fans of Detroit said no more. Many boycotted the game and it did not sell out, and as a result the Lions and the Washington Redskins were blacked out over a 70 mile radius.
While too many of today’s youth are firmly affixed in the basements of their dwellings, playing video games, watching cable television or music videos, there are some who are out and about trying to ascertain and uncover their gifts.
By Darrin WilliamsSPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Bask in the moment Michiganders and Detroiters alike. The football gods were kind to us as our Wolverines and Lions were both victorious this weekend; a feat that eluded us the entire season last year. After four weeks of the college football season and 3 weeks of the pro game, the mighty Wolverines are sitting pretty at 4-0, and the Lions are 1-2. Already, both teams have surpassed their win totals from a season ago. Detroiters can breathe a bit easier with the winless monkey off of their backs, and the boys in maze and blue seem to have a renewed sense of pride. Let’s ride the wave while we can, because the waters will calm soon.
Football has long since overtaken baseball as America’s game, and it was proven Sunday as a full house of close to 60,000 packed Ford Field to see a team that had lost 18 consecutive regular season games. It would never happen for the Pistons or Tigers. Imagine if either of those teams lost like the Lions did last year. You can bet the farm they would not be greeted with a sellout.
Save The long Major League Baseball season is near its conclusion and the Detroit Tigers are holding on to a slim lead in the American League Central Division.
Thursday, Sept. 3 marked the start of the highly anticipated college football season. The marquee matchup of the evening was the 14th ranked Boise State Broncos going head to head with the 16th ranked Oregon Ducks. Not only was this game an opportunity for the Ducks to avenge their loss from last year, but for Boise State, it was by far the most important game on their schedule with Oregon being the only formidable foe they’d face this season.
The worlds of sports and politics are invariably intertwined in a multifaceted, complex and convoluted mixture that is in the words of jazz legend Miles Davis: a “Witches Brew.”On one hand, sports are entertainment and an escape from the doldrums that permeate peoples’ everyday existence. Yet on the other hand, sports entertainment presents itself as a much too serious endeavor for too many.
The 2009 season is looking to become the best season for veteran road racer Bill Lester. The Atlanta resident picked up his second straight top five and fifth consecutive top ten as he teamed up with co-driver Ryan Dalziel to finish fifth out of a field of 32 cars at the Rolex Grand Am Crown Royal 200 held recently at the Watkins Glen Road Course in Watkins Glen, New York.
