That Awkward Moment a Lifelong UofM Fan Buys Her First Michigan State Shirt
Who would have thought something as simple as a sweatshirt found at Goodwill would send someone into such an existential crisis, but here we are.
Really, It's That Serious
I don't think you understand the intense love for University of Michigan my family raised me around. The whole rivalry between UofM and MSU is no joke and my parents even throw a UofM versus Ohio State party every year.
My grandparents literally have a whole bathroom in their home decked out in maize and blue. I don't mean just a few UofM-themed things. No,no. I mean the bathroom is floor-to-ceiling Michigan memorabilia.
I remember when I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian (before I realized I can't handle blood and guts) and was thinking of going to MSU and my family (half-jokingly) acted like I was about to rain dishonor upon them.
Of course, as we got older we realized we just root for our favorite team and we root hard but at the end of the day you go to the college you can build the best career for you at.
That's why my cousin, Brandon, actually attended and recently graduated from MSU as he works towards his dream of being a neurosurgeon.
Finding the Spartan Gear
Normally, I don't seek out sports team apparel and I definitely don't seek out apparel featuring a team I have been raised to avoid like the plague (no offense, Spartans).
However, working in Lansing and seeing all of the Spartan support not only here at the radio station but just as I am driving around feels like foreign territory to me but in the coolest way.
So, the other day I stopped at the new Goodwill in Mason because I had some time to kill, I pass it every day, and finally was able to go.
I was perusing the clothes actually trying to find some Detroit Tigers gear for an upcoming trip to Comerica Park, of course there was some Michigan State gear in the mix like this (rude) gem:
Safe to say I did not get that one.
Then I saw this awesome, almost waffle-knit, green shirt. I thought the color was cute, it looked comfy and then I pulled it out and saw the front...
My first instinct was to put it back...what would my grandpa say!?
Then, I realized it is a cute shirt, it's almost fall in Spartan country and if I happen to go anywhere I'll need to show MSU some love, I'll have it. So I bought it.
Conflicting Feelings...Am I a Traitor?
Sure, it's just a shirt that I found for like $3 at Goodwill. In the grand scheme of things, it's really not that big of a deal. However, as I sit here in my first-ever Michigan State shirt I can't help but feel like I'm doing something sneaky.
If we're being honest here, it's a little exhilarating.
Just goes to show...you either die a Wolverine or live long enough to see yourself become a Spartan.
Sorry, grandpa.
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