I was looking for an excuse to get the video of the ending of the Michigan State-Michigan football game on the blog today, and this story of a fan who suffered a heart attack during the remarkable conclusion of the game will serve very well.
A dramatic game at the Big House turned into an even more stressful night for one fan on Saturday night.
University of Michigan public information officer Diane Brown confirmed that one person who attended the game on Saturday evening suffered a heart attack and was taken to University of Michigan Hospital.
“We did have one heart attack at the end of the game in the stadium,” Brown said. “Emergency medical personnel got to that person right away and were able to take that person to the University of Michigan emergency department for further treatment.”
The Wolverines lost on the final play of the game to the rival Michigan State Spartans, 27-23. Some fans reportedly got out of hand following the game, but no officers responded to disorderly conduct reports.
I might have had a heart attack too if I had been present for this miracle:
The punter who fumbled the ball, Blake O’Neill, got some Twitter love after the game. In addition to the usual death threats, there were some humorous tweets as well.
“Blake Oneill spotted being interviewed after the game” @blakewoneill pic.twitter.com/urv8huwuIN
— TAE YoSoy (@itsTheAlmighty) October 17, 2015
Michigan’s punter decides to relax on the hammock after a rough day pic.twitter.com/jiPwiBgrLr
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 17, 2015
The Michigan athletic director published a letter on Sunday calling on fans not to abuse Mr. O’Neill:
“I’m asking that our community not lose this game twice by condoning thoughtless comments,” Hackett said in the letter. “…Today I awake to the shocking reality that our community who care so much about this program would send hurtful, spiteful and vicious comments to one of our students. To be clear, such comments come from a small minority, none of whom are reflective of our institution.”
This was, after all, a football game. Some people take college athletics far too seriously.
