Real MSU-OSU Winner Didn't Even Play in the Game

Updated at 3:30 p.m.

Chad Carr, 5, died at 1:21 p.m. Monday at his Pittsfield Township home after a 15-month battle against pediatric brain cancer, his mother said.

He is the grandson of former University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.

Come back to Patch for more details later today.

This story has been updated.
Michigan State topped Ohio State University in dramatic fashion Saturday, 17-14, but the real winner was Chad Carr. In case you missed the original column about what was at stake for this 5-year-old boy, we thought we’d bring it back around.

Patch’s original post.

For college football fans, today’s game is an important one.

When Michigan State (ranked No. 9 in the country) travels to Columbus, Ohio, to battle Ohio State (ranked No. 3) a lot will be at stake.

A shot at a Big 10 title. A chance at qualifying for the College Football Playoffs. Bragging rights, and even more that I don’t need to mention.

Simply put, it’s a big game.

After hearing a bit of news earlier this week though — I don’t care who wins.

A Michigan Man

Chad Carr is 5-years-old.

He is the son of former University of Michigan quarterback, Jason Carr.

He’s the grandson of former UM All-American, Tom Curtis, on his mother’s side, and the grandson of former UM head football coach, Lloyd Carr, on his father’s side.

He is a Michigan Man.

Chad Carr is 5-years-old, and on Nov. 11, his mother, Tammi, posted on Facebook that he was now in the care of Hospice.

No, there isn’t a typo in the aforementioned statement. I don’t have my facts confused at all.

Chad Carr has an inoperable tumor in his brain. His family has tried all they can, as much as possible, as long as possible.

Chad Carr is 5-years-old.

Deep Waters

In the world of collegiate sports, the waters of rivalry run very deep.

The one between UM and MSU is fueled by decades of contempt, and sparked by a general disrespect between the fanbases that borders, in many cases, on personal and offensive.

The one between OSU and UM — that can best be describe as a hatred for one another. In fact, it is among the most storied and fabled rivalries in the history of college sports.

So, it’s easy to see how little love is lost between UM and either of the schools playing in today’s big game.

But this afternoon, when these two longtime rivals of UM square off against one another, a small decal on the back of each player’s football helmet will signify the true nature of these two programs, of the young men competing and the older men running the program.

A decal depicting a small boy flexing his muscles and the words, “#ChadTough and ChadToughFDN” shows the world that some things transcend rivalries, and shows support for the entire Carr family.”

ChadToughFND stands for the chadtough.org foundation, a foundation started by Jason and Tammi Carr to raise awareness and funds for research.

The #chadtough, started shortly after their son’s diagnosis, is aimed at raising awareness and support and prayers for Chad.

Respect runs deeper

According to the Detroit News, Michigan interim athletic director, Jim Hackett, got a phone call from OSU athletic director Gene Smith telling him that he and MSU athletic director Mark Hollis wanted to pay tribute to Chad Carr and to Lloyd Carr.

“He made it clear to me their respect for Lloyd is what radiates in all of this,” Hackett told The Detroit News on Friday. “They have great respect for him. I called and told Lloyd, and he was touched all the way around.

There is a big game this afternoon, with many implications for the teams competing and for the fans .

Someone will walk off the field with hopes of a Big 10 crown and National Championship.

— the other will have any hopes of that dashed.

One will be elated — the other disappointed.

But, if you ask me, I don’t care who wins.

In my book, both teams have already won.

Image via University of Michigan