Holiday Gratitude: Michigan fans tell why they love the Wolverines

First things first, Merry Christmas and happy holidays to our loyal and lovable readers. We appreciate you.

People of all ages read Maize N Brew for the same common reason, their love for the University of Michigan. For many, the love for Michigan is a family affair that extends back generations. For some, new eras have generated new fans and their love for the Wolverines is just as strong.

No matter where in the country or the world, there are endless reasons that make you all fans. With that in mind, we took to Facebook asking “Why are you grateful to be a Michigan Wolverines fan this Christmas?” A lot of great answers were posted.

Here are some of the gems:

Stephanie L. Ingram: “My father is from Michigan and raised me to be Wolverine, in a family of buckeyes. My aunts and uncles and cousins would pick on me and I was bullied in school. I never faltered and always stuck true. I like to think it made me the strong, stubborn, respectful, accepting, badass woman I am today. Now I’m teaching my children what it means to be a Wolverine; having integrity and respect.”

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Becky Killion Johnson: “The money that has been raised for the Go Orange challenge that benefits the Chad Tough Foundation. That makes me proud of the fine men that make up our team and our fans.”

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Marc Wolfson: “Graduated from Michigan in 1971. I will always be a Wolverine for many reasons not the least of which is my wife and I met in Ann Arbor and our first date was a football game on November 16, 1968. Michigan beat Wisconsin and Ron Johnson broke Tom Harmon’s long standing rushing record. Great memories!”

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Seth Scott: “Thankful for that hard working defense for keeping every game a game. GO BLUE for life from Lakeland, Florida. See you in Tampa for the bowl game. GO PETERS.”

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Peggy Anteu: “I can't tell you how proud it makes to see our stadium packed every game. How we are still one of the most recognized and respected teams in college football. MICHIGAN is such an iconic football tradition. FOREVER IN MY HEART AND SOUL. GO BLUE.”

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Diana Burton: “I'm grateful for the games I watched growing up with my father who is now 91 and for a husband that loves college football as much as I do, even though he supports the wrong team. No not the buckeyes, I couldn't be married to anyone that is an Ohio State fan. I love the tradition and am especially grateful to have a coach that bleeds blue. GO BLUE.”

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Lawrence Brown: “Been a fan for 71 years when my parents took me for my first game at age 5. My father attended U of M & was absolutely fanatical.”

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Mike Dimitry: “I’m grateful because those football saturdays give me a chance to see a friend that I don’t get to see as often anymore as he lives in a different city now. But on those Saturday’s Ann Arbor brings us back together again. I’m from LaSalle, Ontario and there is no where I would rather be on a college football Saturday than Ann Arbor, MI!”

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Diane Boynton: “I from Three Rivers, Mi. I have been a Michigan fan since I was 6 (I'm 69 now) I bleed the reason is because my dad was a State (the green guys) fan so I started cheering for Michigan just to cheer against my dad.”

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Chris Wisecarver: I'm grateful to be a Michigan Wolverine because there is nothing else in the world quite this special. I've followed Michigan since as far back as 3 years old. It brings a little extra warmth to my heart and a littler greater stength to my soul. I live near Washington, DC. I have made a trip to Michigan for a football game (or two + hockey games) every year for the past 18 years.”

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Kate Cornelius: “My late husband was a graduate of Ohio State but raised a Wolverine. He introduced me to Big House football 25 years ago, always including a good three hours of tailgating beforehand! He died tragically at age 29, when ourdaughter was only 3 months old. I decided to raise her as a Wolverine so she’d have that in common with her Dad. All of my kids ended up cheering for the Maize & Blue; nothing is better than family time together gathered to watch Michigan Football.”

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Mark Nickols: “Because my son just got accepted to the School of Engineering at U of M! Go Blue!”

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Jueles Rogers: “Cause I love to hate OHIO STATE! MICHIGAN WININGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM IN HISTORY UP NEXT 1ST TEAM TO 1,000 WINS.”

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James Lesinski: “John Beilein for managing to field a team after sending kid after kid to the NBA early.”

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Why are you grateful to be a fan of the Michigan Wolverines?