My brother-in-law is a Michigan State grad and a huge fan of Spartans sports teams. Several years ago, he was watching a men's basketball game on TV late in the evening. His older two children were very much from the same mold — dedicated fans that bled Spartan green. His youngest never had an active interest in MSU or sports in general, but noticing that his older siblings were getting to stay up past bedtime, he expressed a sudden interest in the game.
His Dad said, "If you can name just one player on the Michigan State team, I'll let you stay up."
He pondered and searched his archives and then ventured, "Um... Michael Jordan?"
He was summarily sent off to bed.
So, if you happen be like the older kids, the cartoon (and this little story) likely don't need additional explanation. But if you're like the youngest, you may need to know that for the past few years (and in the Lions' case, forever), the major professional sports teams from Detroit have been absolutely terrible. To the point of wearing down even the hardest of hardcore fans.
Also, you should know that Michael Jordan not only played college basketball at North Carolina, he had long since retired from his professional basketball career when my nephew tried to pass him off as a Spartan.
John Auchter is a freelance political cartoonist. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Radio, its management, or its license holder, the University of Michigan.
