Brian Gornick, Sports Editor
For fans of the Michigan Wolverines football team, the past three weeks have been without a doubt, the best the team has seen this century.
Coming off a win on New Year’s Day against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines found themselves a week later facing off against the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football National Championship game in Houston, Texas.
In a game largely projected to be a shootout, Michigan led 17-10 at halftime. The major topic coming into the second half would be the Michigan defense, forcing Husky quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into throwing two interceptions and holding the high-powered Washington offense to three total points in the second half.
Michigan would win the game 34-13, claiming their twelfth national championship in program history, the first since the 1997 team under then-head coach Lloyd Carr.
Since the national championship, Michigan fans everywhere have been ecstatic about the accomplishments their team has made, and the team has shared their excitement too. Following Michigan’s win last week, head coach Jim Harbaugh told beat writer Clayton Sayfie that the players and himself want a championship parade in Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh and the team would get their wish. Despite snowfall covering the ground and temperatures well below freezing, a convoy of firetrucks, Michigan athletics vehicles, and the Michigan Marching Band paraded down State Street to thousands of cheering fans.
Following the parade, a formal celebration was held in Crisler Center. After former Michigan football player Jon Jansen spoke, many fans at Crisler Center and on TV watched speeches from Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel, Jim Harbaugh, and Michigan captains J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and Mike Sainristil.
It was certainly a night to remember for those that were present, and was a great sendoff for many of Michigan’s captains, who have largely declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. With this championship, they have cemented themselves as Michigan legends.
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