Michigan State Spartans Bring City Together

There is something to be said for a community putting differences aside and coming together for one common theme.  That is the case with the Metropolitan Detroit area this weekend.

The city of Detroit has been verbally abused by various media types over the past year or so.  And why wouldn't it be?  Just look at at some of the political disasters that have happened recently. 

A mayor gets booted from the office because of texting and lying.  City Council contrives every way possible to keep the city separate from the suburbs, even blasting Jay Leno for having a FREE concert at the palace of Auburn Hills because...it isn't in Detroit.  The big three auto execs flying into Washington DC on their private jets then asking for billions in tax payer money to save them.

Despite all of that, the city came together this weekend. Why?

The Michigan State Spartans.

It was a big deal that the Final Four was even going to be downtown.  The Spartans making it to the Final Four made this weekend a bigger event here than the Super Bowl was a few years ago.

Michigan fans and MSU fans don't usually see eye to eye on matters.  They do not root for each other's teams, ever.  This weekend was different though. Michigan fans were calling into the talk radio shows wishing the Spartans luck. 

What?  Yes, you read that correctly.  Michigan fans became Spartans fans for one weekend.

Everyone in this area realized how big this was, not just for the university or the players and coaches—it was big for the entire Detroit area.  The city had thousands of people swarm its street on Saturday, and most of them were donning the Green and White for Michigan State, many for the first time ever. 

They realized that this was so much bigger than just a team playing in a big game.  This was about a city getting a chance to shine through all the turmoil and despair its been through.  This was a chance for failing businesses to have a big weekend and maybe save their enterprise.

This was a chance for the city to have the national spotlight on it once again, but this time in a positive way. 

The Michigan State Spartans knew that.  Coach Tom Izzo knew it and made sure his players did, too. 

The Spartans weren't supposed to be here. They were supposed to lose to the No. 1 ranked Louisville Cardinals.  After beating them last week, all the "experts" said they would lose to UConn. 

Well, Tom Izzo had another thought on his mind. 

It's almost as if the entire area was willing the Spartans to victory.  State jumped out early but UConn responded.  UConn, for a brief moment in the first half, looked like it was going to take control of the game.  But Izzo's boys just kept fighting. 

They embodied this city.  Their toughness represents everything about this area. That toughness and never say die attitude shined through and lead them to victory and a spot in the National Championship game against North Carolina. 

For one weekend, they helped many of the unemployed and struggling families forget about the problems they were facing.  This weekend, the Spartans helped inner city and suburban residents forget about their differences and come together.  This weekend kept the media from talking about all the other issues and finally brought some positive focus to this area.

For that, we say THANK YOU SPARTANS!