The distractions at MSU have taken over most of the local papers on this day of memory. The memory of nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their innocent lives due to the deadliest terrorist attack in our nearly 250-year existence. Thousands more have died because of the exposure to toxic fumes, dust, and other carcinogens on that day.
Anyone old enough can remember where they were when they first heard about the terrorist attack. The pictures of the second plane flying into the Twin Towers and then the crumbling of the buildings hours later are etched in my mind to this day. I will never forget the eerie feeling of seeing no airplanes in the air for the next three days.
Our lives were changed forever as a result, and we must never forget the people who lost their lives and were injured. We must never forget the first responders, healthcare workers, city workers and volunteers who saved many more lives. We must never forget.
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The last 24 hours have been a nightmare for MSU. I have read as much as I can (and as much as I can stand) and I will keep my comments to myself until more of the facts come to light. Regardless of the result, nothing good is going to come of it for Tucker, AD Haller, Interim President Woodruff, MSU’s reputation, members of the football team, and the football staff.
As I look forward to this weekend of college football in Michigan, it is a sad situation when both the head coaches at the two starship universities will not be coaching their teams this week because they are both suspended by their universities. You cannot make this up.
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I was not watching Michigan’s football game on Saturday, but I was tracking it on Gamecast. When I first checked J.J McCarthy was 9-9 in passing completions against attempts. As the game when on he got to 15-15 and he ultimately ended up 22-25 for the game by the time he was removed. For the first two games McCarthy is at an astonishing 48-55 for 88%.
It is hard enough to complete 48-55 passes in practice during drills. It means the quarterback is accurate with his throws and the receiver catches the ball, which is not as easy as it looks. To do it in a game, when 300lb lineman are trying to bury you, and the receivers are getting bumped, tugged, and ultimately tackled, is unheard of in my memory. To put this in perspective, Geno Smith, of the Seattle Seahawks had the highest completion rate over the course of the 2022 NFL season with 70%.
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For the first 10 years of Chris Chelios’ career, I despised him as an NHL defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a pain in the Red Wings side. The only time I ever rooted for Chelios was when he was on the USA Olympic or National Team. Even then it was hard. Then to my surprise, Chelios was traded to the Red Wings. I remember telling my secretary Debbie, who was an avid hockey fan, that I was not sure I could root for Chelios even as a Red Wing. After ten years and two Stanley Cups, I finally came around.
In both Detroit and Chicago, Chelios was a stellar member of the community as he invested in both communities and contributed his time and energy to being an ambassador for hockey.
On Saturday, during a Pearl Jam concert at the United Center in Chicago, Chelios, who is a good friend of lead singer Eddie Vedder, was called Chelios to the stage by Vedder and in front of the sold-out crowd announced Vedder announced the Blackhawks were going to retire his number 7 jersey. This was the wish of the late owner Rocky Wirtz who wanted it to happen. A highlight video of Chelios’ Blackhawk career was then shown on the big screen. See my Video of the Day
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Quote of the Day: “For nearly two decades Michigan State University leaders failed to take action on sexual assault complaints regarding Larry Nassar and that coverup continues today,” former Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO Rich Studley said in a social media post on Sunday.
Orchid of the Day: Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic for their women’s and men’s U.S Open tennis championships. For Coco it is her fist of most likely many more and for Djokovic it is his 24th major championship, tying him with Margaret Court for the most major championships of all-time.
Onion of the Day: MSU.
Question of the Day: Where were you when you first heard of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001?
Video of the Day:
Chris Chelios and Pearl Jam
I was in a class at MCIT learning to use Microsoft project.