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5 Controversial Policies Of Nancy Pelosi

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Nancy Pelosi had been the Chair of the California Democratic Party in the early 1980s, and in 1987, she assumed office with the US House of Representatives. Pelosi became a mainstay of the House and made her way up the ladder as she served as the House Minority Whip before being named the Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011, and then again from 2019 to 2013.

In between, Pelosi served as the House Minority Leader on two occasions. Being such a figurehead of the Democratic Party, Pelosi is talked about often. Some of her policies have been seen as controversial as a result. Here are five topics in which Pelosi has been seen as polarizing over the years.

Climate Change

Climate change is something that doesn’t seem should be a politically divisive topic, but that’s just how it’s gone. Many of those on the right side of the aisle think that climate change is an overblown hoax, while many on the left think that it’s something that will ultimately be the undoing of humanity. Nancy Pelosi is one of those on the left that feels something should be done immediately about climate change.

Pelosi has said that climate change shouldn’t be a left-wing-right-wing issue. “We cannot just have any political disagreement or the power of the fossil fuel industry cramping our style as we go forward with this,” Pelosi said. “But to show a path that gets us to where we need to be.” There has been a lot of money spent on combating climate change, which is where much of the fighting between the left and right has come from.

Immigration

While some members of the Democratic Party were once tougher on illegal immigration in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, Nancy Pelosi is not among them. Pelosi, for much of her political career, has not been big on cracking down on immigrants in the United States. In fact, she was against the Secure Fence Act in 2006 that would have built a long wall across the Mexico-United States border.

Pelosi does not support fully-closed borders, and it’s been something that has drawn a lot of attention from the Republicans. Many have said that her soft policies regarding illegal immigration have brought in a lot of undocumented immigrants. Pelosi has stood firm on her belief that immigrants shouldn’t be placed in detention centers for long periods of time, though.

Gay Marriage

Another one of those topics that many members of the Democratic Party have changed their minds on over the years, Nancy Pelosi has pretty much always been in support of gay marriage being recognized by the government. Even back in the 1990s when other Democrats still weren’t convinced that gay people should be allowed to legally marry, Pelosi stood on the side of the LGBT community.

There have been many bills that were up for a vote during Pelosi’s political career that attempted to make it a law that said marriage could only be between a man and a woman. Pelosi voted against every one of these bills, and she hasn’t been afraid to go against fellow members of the Catholic Church on the topic. Few members of the government have been quite as beloved by the LGBT community as Pelosi over the past few decades.

Abortion

Like gay marriage, abortion is another one of those topics that even deeply religious politicians have been in favor of in more recent history. Pelosi didn’t wait until it was more widely accepted to be in favor of abortion remaining legal throughout the United States, as she’s always been on the pro-choice side of the debate.

In the earlier days of the argument, a stance like that could have been seen as wildly controversial, though these days most of the controversy comes solely from the Republican side. For almost every bill that has tried to ban abortion, Pelosi has been vehemently against it, and was one of the more vocal members of Congress when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

January 6 Rioters

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol as they felt that the results of the 2020 presidential election were false and that Trump won. Though it would be disproved in courts across the country, the supporters were still adamant about Trump’s victory and broke into the building, including Pelosi’s office.

Since then, Pelosi has been in support of long prison sentences for those that took part in the riot. Pelosi was fearful for her safety and was so angry at Trump that she wanted to attack him. “If he comes, I’m going to punch him out,” Pelosi said of Trump. “I’ve been waiting for this…I’m going to punch him out. And I’m going to jail, and I’m going to be happy.”

Donald Trump’s 5 Most Controversial Statements

Posted on by scatty

If there is one United States President over the past century that you could describe as polarizing, Donald Trump would have to take the top spot. Those that dislike him do so on a personal level to the point where they truly say that they ‘hate’ the man, while those in favor of him are borderline worshippers of Trump.

One of the reasons that Trump has been so polarizing both as President and as a United States citizen is that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind on some very divisive topics. Let’s take a look at some of the most controversial statements that Trump has made over the years, and what made them so polarizing in the public eye.

Statements on Mexicans

The statement: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you…They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re bringing r*pists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

What made it controversial: Trump has always been a major proponent of halting illegal immigration, but there have been times when people have said his policies are downright racist. This was certainly one of those times, as this became a quote that was used against Trump for much of his presidency, with many saying that he downright hated Hispanics, or anyone outside of the United States for that matter.

Seriousness of COVID-19

The statement: “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down because I don’t want to create a panic.”

What made it controversial: The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most devastating things to happen to the world over the past 50 years. Many countries almost shut down entirely for months because of it, and the United States was politically divided on the seriousness of it all, with much of that coming from Trump himself.

Trump went back and forth about how serious he felt the COVID-19 pandemic was. In some instances, he would wear a mask, while in others, he would proudly take it off and mock people that were wearing them. When he admitted to downplaying the pandemic and holding off on testing so that positive results weren’t yielded, it send a strange message to the country.

Preventing 9/11

The statement: “I think I could have stopped it because I have very tough illegal immigration policies, and people aren’t coming into this country unless they’re vetted and vetted properly.”

What made it controversial: The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, is one of the touchiest subjects possible for American citizens. Trump had already downplayed the attacks right after they happened that day. When the towers fell, Trump boasted about how his tower was the tallest in Manhattan, and this quote about being able to stop 9/11 did nothing but fan the flames for people who felt that Trump was always making things about himself, including the worst terrorist attack on United States soil.

Gay Marriage

The statement: “It’s like in golf…a lot of people are switching to these really long putters, very unattractive…it’s weird. You see these great players with these really long putters because they can’t sink three-footers anymore. And, I hate it. I am a traditionalist. I have so many fabulous friends who are happy to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.”

What made it controversial: Gay marriage is one of the most divisive topics in the United States, and people obviously take it very seriously. When Trump compared gay marriage to something like switching to a longer putter for golf, many felt that Trump was trivializing something so important to so many people. This quote came several years before his candidacy for president, causing organizations like GLAAD to protest him when he was aiming to lead the United States.

Women

The statement: “(Megyn Kelly) gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions. You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. In my opinion, she was off base.”

What made it controversial: When Trump said this about then-Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly during a 2015 Republic presidential debate, many immediately pointed out just how sexist it was. Though it might have been one of those slips where Trump was attempting to say something along the lines of “smoke coming out of her ears,” there weren’t many that were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

How To Buy Classic Cars On The Cheap

Posted on by scatty

There are many of us who want to start a classic car collection but aren’t quite sure where to start. It can be an expensive hobby, and those who get into collecting for the first time end up dropping much more money than they first expected which can deter people from continuing to add to their collection. These new collectors often get blindsided and bite off more than they can chew, but it can be avoided.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced collector that wants to add a few more great pieces to the garage, there are some rules to follow. Here are five tips on how to buy classic cars for cheap so you can spark your love for the hobby and add the cars that you’ve always wanted.

Location

When buying a classic car, you can shop online, but then there’s a good chance that you won’t even get to see the car before making the transaction. This can be a huge risk, and you might end up spending thousands more than you wanted to or even get a junker that sets you back and kills your passion for classic cars. Instead, you should shop in person, and there are certain places to look.

There are certain states where classic cars are more numerous and therefore cheaper. California is the state where you can find a classic car parked in seemingly every garage, and some of the models are so numerous that they’re extremely cheap. If you’re driving down any California road and you don’t see at least one classic car, it might be a rare rainy day. Other good states for classic cars include Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Common Models

The best way you can save money on anything is by buying something that has a large supply, it’s basic economics. There are certain classic cars that were mass-produced and have been taken care of well over the years. Obviously, the more common a car is, the cheaper it’s going to be to purchase, and the cheaper it’s going to be to get replacement parts if you’re looking for a restoration project.

The 1969 Dodge Charger is the most commonly sought-after classic car out there, especially since it was featured in major film and television productions including “The Dukes of Hazzard”. Other notable classic cars that are high in supply include the 1967 Ford Mustang, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, and the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. These are perfect starter cars for a classic collection.

Parts

As we mentioned before, common cars will have common parts. That alone will save you money, but if you want to save money on a classic car that isn’t as common, then you’ll want to make sure that the one you’re buying comes with all of its parts in working order. Sure, you can buy the body of a classic car for cheap, but the restoration could end up costing more than just buying a working model.

Some of the rarer cars don’t have parts that have been in production for decades, so it can be impossible to restore them. When asking what new parts a classic car will need for a restoration, always check to see how much it would cost for parts and labor to get it to drive the way you want it to. Otherwise, you’re better off just buying a used Honda Accord.

Enthusiasts Opinions

Just like it is with collecting anything, you’ll want to speak with other people who have been dabbling in that type of collection. If you go into it completely blind, sellers will be able to spot you from a mile away. This could lead to you being taken advantage of and cost you hundreds or thousands of extra dollars.

The first time that you go out shopping for a classic car, make sure to bring someone with you that has a lot of experience. They’ll be able to identify which parts need to be replaced or not while also making sure to get you the right price. This leads us to our last point.

Haggle

Cars, whether they’re new or classic, don’t come with a price that’s set in stone. This leads us back to our first point of finding a good location rather than purchasing online. This allows you to get face-to-face with the seller and you can negotiate a price from there.

Though you might not be able to get the car for half of the asking price, you can still save yourself hundreds if the seller is willing to come down. When you know what you’re shopping for and how much replacement parts will be, you have the upper-hand in negotiations.

The World’s Most Expensive Classic Cars

Posted on by scatty

Those that have collected classic cars know just how expensive they can be. Even in the worst condition, the people who are selling them know that they’re still worth a lot because they can be restored to their former glory and end up worth a fortune. Then, there are some people who have kept their classic cars in pristine condition over the years and sold them decades after they were released to wealthy avid collectors.

Even the smallest towns around the world have classic cars roaming around, and some of them are worth a lot of money. Only a handful, though, have reached a certain tier where they could be considered among the world’s most expensive classic cars. Here are those five cars that sold for the most, and who ended up being the proud owner of them. Before we get to the list, the rankings have been adjusted for inflation based on the year they were sold.

5. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM

This is the first time that you’ll see a Ferrari on the list, but certainly not the last. Coming in at the fifth spot overall is the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, which won that year’s Mille Miglia and was driven by the legendary Manuel Fangio. Only four of them were built overall, and the predecessor of the Ferrari 290 S was placed for sale in late 2015.

The Ferrari ended up fetching just over $28 million at auction, which translates into over $32 million today. The car was kept in tip-top shape since the 1950s and made the anonymous buyer of the car extremely happy. It’s unclear if the winner ended up taking it on the streets, but that’s highly doubtful.

4. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196

Like Ferrari, there isn’t just one Mercedes-Benz on the list, and the first one is the 1954 W196, which was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, a name that you’ll hear again. When it was driven during the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 seasons, it was able to win nine out of the 12 races it started. This made the car a legend and a hot commodity for auction houses.

In July 2013, the W196 was finally put up for sale after it was verified that it was the original version of the car that was driven in Formula 1 races. The auction (which was held in the United Kingdom) ended with a winning bid that was just under $30 million, and with inflation was $34.4 million. 

3. 1957 Ferrari 335 S

Only one of the five most expensive classic cars was sold in the country of France, and it was the 1957 Ferrari 335 S. The Spider Scaglietti model was driven during the 12 Hours of Sebring by both Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant, finishing in sixth place.

Even though it didn’t win, this car was able to fetch tens of millions when it was auctioned off on February 15, 2016. The winning bid was at $35.7 million, which is over $40.3 million today. Who ended up winning the auction? All that was revealed was that he was an “international bidder.”

2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (Twice)

We’ll stretch the list a little bit to include six total because the second and third-most expensive classic cars ever sold were both 1962 Ferrari 250 GTOs. The first was sold for $38.1 million in Carmel, California in August 2014, and four years later in the same state, another GTO was sold for $48.4 million. Bonhams took care of the first auction, while RM Sotheby’s auctioned off the second.

When the first GTO was sold in 2014, it was the most expensive car ever sold and was known for its 1964 Tour de France championship. The car had gone through a few owners and ended up in the hands of David MacNeil, who founded WeatherTech in Chicago during the late 1980s. The second GTO won the 1962 Italian GT Championship, and like its predecessor, became (at the time) the most expensive car sold.

1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlehaut Coupe

After several years of no car breaking the record for being the most expensive ever sold, a 2022 auction made sure that the record was absolutely shattered. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe sold during a May auction that year for a whopping $142 million. That’s right, this 1955 beauty was nearly triple the price of the second-most expensive car.

So what made this Mercedes-Benz so special? Well, there were only two of them made by Rudolf Uhlenhaut and Mercedes-Benz, so the rarity alone was worth the price for a collector who decided to remain anonymous. After the auction, the buyer said that the car will be on public display for certain occasions and also sit at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Does A Higher Salary Make You Happier?

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There are plenty of people that will say that money is the root of all evil, and that money doesn’t solve all of your problems or buy happiness. However, many people that have never had a significant amount of money don’t feel the same way. In fact, those that are in lower-income situations say that their lack of money is the biggest root of their troubles.

What does science say about the link between earning a higher salary and overall happiness, though? Do the people who say that money doesn’t buy happiness correct? Or are they simply saying that because they don’t want people working under them to ask for more money or make more than they do? 

The Pain of Lower Income

There are a lot of causes for stress amongst the global population, and nothing is higher on the list than money. Nearly three-quarters of people in the United States alone have said that money is their biggest source of stress, and have had at least a minor bout of stress on a monthly basis in regard to their finances. There are many different ways in which money can cause stress, too.

Some have gotten into arguments with friends and family over money, feeling guilty about spending money on things such as entertainment, or even turning off the phone or avoiding the mailbox because bills are due. There are plenty of people who lose sleep over their finances, and anyone who has gone from a low-income situation to a higher one knows that you simply sleep better when you aren’t worrying about bills. Being able to afford a better bed doesn’t hurt, either.

What’s the Magic Number?

It should be clear to everyone that having money certainly does make you happier, but is there a sweet spot in terms of salary for happiness? There was one major study conducted by Princeton University that said that happiness topped out at a salary of $75,000 per year. However, that study was conducted in 2010, so with inflation, that number would certainly be higher today.

Also, happiness didn’t exactly drop off for those that were making more than $75,000. People who made six figures saw an almost equal amount of happiness in their day-to-day lives. Those that were making higher salaries said that they were happy because their lives didn’t have much financial stress. All of their bills were paid each month, and with no debt collectors calling around the clock, there wasn’t much stress.

More than a decade after that original study was completed, there was another study at the Wharton Business School that said that happiness continues to improve as more money comes in each year. Matthew Killingsworth is a senior fellow at the school, and he said that “It’s a compelling possibility, the idea that money stops mattering above that ($75,000 per year) point, at least for how people actually feel moment to moment.”

He added that “But when I looked across a wide range of income levels, I found that all forms of well-being continued to rise with income. I don’t see any sort of kink in the curve, an inflection point where money stops mattering. Instead, it keeps increasing.”

What Money Means

When you earn a high enough salary, money hardly does anything for your day-to-day happiness. Those that are millionaires can already afford all of the essentials in life, and can pretty much afford all of the luxuries to go on top of that. There comes a certain point when you’re rich, though, where the only difference in transactions that you make would be buying businesses, sports franchises, or yachts.

Once you’ve hit it big, your net worth is simply a high score similar to that of a pinball machine sitting inside an arcade. $75,000 shouldn’t be seen as the peak of happiness, though, as that salary still wouldn’t be able to get a lot of the luxuries in life that include a more reliable car or a large house in an expensive area.

It’s when you hit the six-figure mark that you start to be able to afford some of these things, and can feel much more comfortable about having all of your bills paid and alleviating the stress that comes with not having enough to pay those bills. Those with more money are also able to experience the world and increase their happiness through experiences that lower-income people don’t get to enjoy. As Henry David Thoreau said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.”

5 Boxers Who Took Fights Way Too Personally

Posted on by scatty

When you’re going toe-to-toe with another person in a boxing match, you have to get in their head a little bit. To do this, a lot of boxers will trash-talk their opponent to get them rattled, but sometimes it goes too far. Some boxers have gotten incredibly personal prior to their match, and at times, it cost them dearly. 

Let’s take a look at five historic boxing matches that had a lot of verbal barbs that were exchanged, taking things to a personal level and making the matches even more hyped.

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather

No boxing match has had as much hype as the 2015 bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. While the fight itself would ultimately be a disappointment for most fans, the lead-up was anything but boring. The two came in as the best of their generation, and both were trading personal jabs in the countless press conferences before the match.

Mayweather had said that Pacquiao was only fighting lower boxers for easier wins and padding his record while Mayweather was taking on the top names. Pacquaio’s camp said that Mayweather was shady and avoided the fight between the two while adding that Mayweather’s father was a terrible cornerman. Mayweather would win, and the two have been talking about a rematch ever since.

Muhammad Ali vs. Anyone

If you were to ask any person on the street to name the first boxer that comes to mind, the answer is probably going to be Muhammad Ali. Ali was known not only for being a great fighter, but also one of the best trash talkers in human history. For him, every match was personal and he wanted to let his opponents know just how personal it was.

There were many matches where some people felt that Ali took things a little too far, including bouts against George Foreman and Joe Frazier. Perhaps the one that got it the worst was Sonny Liston. Prior to their controversial fight in 1964, Ali went all-in on the trash talk. There were some memorable lines which included “He’s too ugly to be world champion. The world champ should be pretty like me!”

Dereck Chisora and David Haye

There are many boxing matches where the fighters had traditional trash talk to try and get inside of their opponents’ heads, but then there are matches where the two sides absolutely hated each other. That was the case between Dereck Chisora and David Haye in their match in 2012. Chisora had just defeated Vitali Klitschko after making it personal between the two, and the extracurriculars spilled into his rivalry with Haye.

Haye was at the press conference for the Chisora-Klitschko fight and Haye had challenged Klitschko to a match. Chisora, as the winner, took it personally and started to call Haye an embarrassment to the sport. The two would get into it several times before and after their fight, and at one point, Chisora threatened to shoot Haye. Haye would end up winning the match in the fifth round via technical knockout.

Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant

In just about every sport, there’s a big rivalry between the United States and Mexico, and that even translates into individual sports. In 2021, Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez defeated American Caleb Plant via a technical knockout in the 11th round in Las Vegas. The lead-up to the match was filled with controversy as the two seemed ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

Alvarez is usually calmer in demeanor, but Plant was relentless in his trash talk, with Alvarez saying that the match was personal after hearing all of it. During their press conference two months before the match, the two got into a fistfight that left both of them bloodied, while Alvarez said Plant was taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield

One of the most famous matches of all time came when Mike Tyson bit off the ear of Evander Holyfield. At the time, no match had ever been quite as hyped-up, and Holyfield would come out on top. Holyfield remained calm, cool, and collected in the lead-up to the match, but that wasn’t the case for Tyson.

The two have since become friendly, especially as Tyson has calmed down and dwelled upon his past. “He never said nothing bad to me,” Tyson said. “I said miserable things to him.” Holyfield never got rattled, though. “I said, ‘You’ve got to understand, Mike’s younger than me. Mike really don’t know. So I’m not angry. I’ve got nothing to say about it,’” Holyfield said.

5 Boxers Who Made Serious Money Outside Of Boxing

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There are plenty of sports that are lucrative and offer nine-figure contracts. Think of basketball and baseball where those types of contracts get handed out like candy. However, those contracts typically last around a decade before the full amount of money is paid to the athlete. Then, you have boxing, which can pay you over $100 million for a single fight if the demand is high enough.

Not every big time boxer is going to get to that level of making hundreds of millions in the ring, but that’s just fine. There are other ways for a boxer to get into business ventures that pad their net worth massively. Here are five boxers who made some serious money outside the ring using their star status to get ahead.

5. Floyd Mayweather

No boxer in the sport’s history has had bigger in-ring payouts than the undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather. For just his one fight against Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather earned $180 million, and he has amassed a net worth of around $450 million over the years. Obviously, not all of that is from his in-ring payouts, as Mayweather has been able to earn plenty of cash from his star status.

Mayweather not only has his own promotion company, but he also runs a gentleman’s club, a roller skating rink, and even a racing team. Of course, Mayweather’s businesses are all based out of Las Vegas, where he’s had some of his biggest matches.

4. Conor McGregor

It might be cheating just a bit to add Conor McGregor to the list since he’s mostly known for his time in mixed martial arts, but McGregor has gotten into the ring as a boxer, as well. Of course, his lone professional match in a boxing ring came against the previously mentioned Floyd Mayweather, with Mayweather winning the bout via technical knockout in the 10th round. McGregor has a net worth of $200 million, and has been able to market himself brilliantly.

McGregor has a ton of endorsements that include Beats by Dre, Reebok and Bud Light. On top of that, McGregor has made a lot of money from the Irish whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve. McGregor had a majority stake in the whiskey, selling it to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for a cool $150 million.

3. Vitali Klitschko

Vitali Klitschko isn’t the richest boxer in the world, but he certainly has a comfortable net worth at nearly $100 million. Klitschko was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time before he retired, winning 15 different matches with the world heavyweight title on the line. Once he retired, Klitschko stayed in the public eye while getting into politics, though it isn’t his time as mayor that made him super wealthy.

Klitschko runs his own investment firm called Klitschko Ventures, which has earned him millions more over the years. “My experience has shown me that I can achieve more with good partners by my side and reach my goal more quickly,” Klitschko said. “That is why I live according to this principle and let others share my knowledge.”

2. Oscar De La Hoya

If you ask any casual fan to naem a handful of boxers off the top of their head, and there’s a good chance that they would mention Oscar De La Hoya. If you were to then ask them to mention their favorite match of his, they likely wouldn’t be able to tell you. That’s because “The Golden Boy” has been able to establish a great post-boxing career for himself, and now has a net worth of $170 million.

De La Hoya launched several business ventures following his fighting career, including his own Golden Boy Promotions that kept some of his money in the sport. Other investments for De La Hoya include the fast food chain BurgerFi, an ownership stake in Major League Soccer and even a tequila brand. 

1. George Foreman

Of course, you can’t talk about boxers that have made big money outside of the ring without mentioning the great George Foreman. Foreman was a tremendous boxer who won 76 of his 81 professional fights, earning himself multiple heavyweight championships. Foreman became an entrepreneur following his fighting career, and amassed a net worth of $300 million.

Much of that money came from the George Foreman Grill, which was actually invented by Michael Boehm and Robert Johnson. Foreman attached his name and likeness to the product, though, earning him a massive amount of the revenue. After more than 100 million grills were sold, the rights to the product earned Foreman nearly $140 million.

5 Best Games in the Michigan-Michigan State Football Rivalry

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There are plenty of rivalries in college football, but there are certain ones that just mean more. One of those great in-state rivalries that garners national attention every year is the one between Michigan and Michigan State. Though Michigan considered Ohio State their biggest rival, there’s no doubt that MSU considers Michigan to be their number one target. Over the years, the two have had some memorable matchups, with these five being the best games in the programs’ rivalry.

5. Clockgate (2001)

One of the most controversial games in the history between Michigan and Michigan State happened in 2001 when the heavily-favored Wolverines traveled to East Lansing to take on the 3-2 Spartans. The game ended up being closer than people thought, with the score being tied at 17 entering the final quarter.

MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker spiked the ball with one second on the clock to give the Spartans one more chance, despite Michigan players and fans believing that the time had run out. On the final play of the game, Smoker connected with T.J. Duckett to win the game 26-24 in a game that’s still talked about to this day.

4. KW3’s Comeback (2021)

Nobody expected much out of Michigan State in the 2021 season after they finished a paltry 2-5 during the COVID-19-affected 2020 campaign. The Spartans stormed out of the gates, however, and started the season 7-0, including wins over Miami and Nebraska. Meanwhile, Michigan had high hopes and a #6 ranking after starting their season 7-0 as well.

The 2021 matchup started off strong for the Wolverines, who jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, and went into the locker room with a 23-14 advantage. After the third, the score was 30-22 in favor of the Wolverines, but Kenneth Walker III and Michigan State roared back in a big way, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 5:08 left, winning 37-33.

3. Number One Goes Down (1990)

During the 1990 season, the Wolverines and Spartans were the top two teams in the Big Ten Conference, and they both came to play on October 13 of that year. Michigan State had lost close games to Notre Dame and Iowa heading into the matchup while also tying with Syracuse in the season opener.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines had just one loss, which was also against the top-ranked Fighting Irish. After three quarters in their 1990 matchup, Michigan and Michigan State were tied at 14-14, but both teams scored two touchdowns each in the fourth quarter. Michigan scored with just six seconds left on the clock, and instead of attempting the extra point to force a tie game, they went for the two-point conversion. They failed, however, in a controversial fashion, giving the Spartans a 28-27 win.

2. Triple OT Thriller (2004)

Very rarely does the Michigan-Michigan State annual game go into overtime, but there were back-to-back years in which it happened. The first of which was the only multi-overtime game of the series, with the Wolverines and Spartans needing three overtimes to decide a winner in 2004. Michigan entered the game at #12 in the rankings while Michigan State was struggling at 4-3.

Michigan State took a commanding 17-point lead with 8:43 remaining in the game, but the Wolverines stormed back, scoring 17 unanswered points in less than six minutes. This forced three overtimes, with the Wolverines scoring a touchdown and getting the two-point conversion, keeping the Spartans out of the end zone for a 45-37 win.

1. Trouble With the Snap (2015)

The worst word that a Michigan football fan can hear is “Whoa,” because they immediately think of the following words “he has trouble with the snap.” This is, of course, in reference to the 2015 Michigan-Michigan State showdown at the Big House in front of a sold-out crowd. The Wolverines came into the game with a 5-0 record and were #12 in the polls while Michigan State was also 5-0 and ranked in the top five of the coaches poll.

Michigan entered the fourth quarter with a 20-14 lead and were hanging on to a 23-21 lead with just a couple of seconds left on the clock. All Michigan had to do was cleanly punt the ball away and the time would run out on the Spartans’ perfect season. Instead, punter Blake O’Neill couldn’t hand on to the snap and Jalen Watts-Jackson of Michigan State picked it up and took it into the end zone “on the last play of the game! Unbelievable!” 

5 Best Detroit Lions Draft Picks of All Time

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The Detroit Lions haven’t had a whole lot of success in the NFL Draft, which is why the team has gone for so long without a championship. However, there have still been some great steals and smart picks that the team has made over the years. Here are the five best Detroit Lions draft picks of all time.

5. Lem Barney (34th Overall, 1967)

The Detroit Lions held the seventh overall selection in the 1967 NFL/AFL Draft and used it to take running back Mel Farr from UCLA. Farr ended up being a solid selection for the franchise, but it wasn’t until the second round that they really found a star. With the 34th overall selection, the Lions drafted little-known cornerback Lem Barney from Jackson State, who went on to become one of the biggest steals of the draft.

Barney played for 11 NFL seasons, all with the Lions, and made the Pro Bowl seven times while also garnering All-Pro honors twice. The All-1960s team member finished with 56 career interceptions and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

4. Calvin Johnson (2nd Overall, 2007)

Coming into the 2007 NFL Draft, almost everyone knew that the Oakland Raiders were going to take quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the number one pick, which turned out to be a huge bust. The big question was what the Lions would do with the second overall pick, with many thinking that they’d skip the receiver position after getting burned so many times by busts. However, the Lions did roll the dice on another receiver in the form of Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson.

The man known as “Megatron” may have retired when he was only 30 years old, but he enjoyed one of the finest careers for a wide receiver in NFL history. He set a record for single-season yardage in 2012 with 1,964 yards and finished his career with 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. The three-time All-Pro was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

3. Alex Karras (10th Overall, 1958)

The first nine picks of the 1958 NFL Draft were dominated by three teams, with the Cardinals, Rams, and 49ers all having two selections. After San Francisco took Jim Pace and Charlie Krueger with back-to-back picks, the Lions selected defensive tackle Alex Karras from Iowa. Karras, who was also known for his role on the sitcom “Webster”, would be the first eventual Hall of Famer drafted in 1958.

The man known as the Mad Duck played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Lions and was named an All-Pro three times, as well as a Pro Bowler on four occasions. Despite missing a season due to a gambling suspension, Karras was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 100 career sacks.

2. Barry Sanders (3rd Overall, 1989)

The 1989 NFL Draft saw the Dallas Cowboys land their franchise quarterback when they selected Troy Aikman out of UCLA with the first overall pick. After the Packers took eventual bust Tony Mandarich with the second overall selection, the Lions were on the board. Despite running back not being a huge position of need, the Lions saw a once-in-a-lifetime player with Barry Sanders out of Oklahoma State and made him the third overall choice.

Sanders not only proved to be one of the best players in that year’s draft but also proved to be one of the greatest NFL players of all time. Sanders was a 10-time All-Pro, winning a slew of other awards that include a pair of AP Offensive Player of the Year honors. All in all, he rushed for 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns while adding nearly 3,000 receiving yards.

1. Joe Schmidt (86th Overall, 1953)

For the top pick, we have to go further back than any other draft selection on the list. During the 1953 NFL Draft, there were some solid players taken early on, and the Lions picked up a pair of eventual Pro Bowl players. However, with the final pick in the seventh round, they drafted a Hall of Fame talent in the form of Pittsburgh linebacker Joe Schmidt.

Schmidt played all 13 of his NFL seasons with Detroit and was a dominant force on defense. He was named to the All-Pro team on nine occasions and finished in the top five of MVP voting twice. Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 1973 class and helped the Lions to win two NFL Championships, including the franchise’s most recent title in 1957.

5 Best Detroit Tigers of All Time

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The Detroit Tigers have one of the longest histories in all of Major League Baseball, with the franchise joining the American League of Baseball in 1901. Since then, the team has called the Motor City their home and since 2000 has played downtown at Comerica Park.

Throughout the years, the Tigers have had a long list of amazing talent, with strong representation in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Out of the many men that have worn the old English ‘D,’ though, which ones are the best of all time? Here are our picks for the top five Tigers in franchise history.

5. Alan Trammell

Alan Trammell isn’t just one of the greatest Detroit Tigers of all time, but he’s also one of the most beloved. A fan favorite during his time, Trammell is routinely coming back to Comerica Park to take in the sights and sounds with the franchise that made him a star. Trammell was a second-round draft selection by the Tigers in 1976, and he made his debut the following season.

Trammell played in 20 MLB seasons, all of which came in Detroit, between 1977 and 1996. During that time, Trammell posted a career batting average of .285 while hitting 185 home runs and knocking in over 1,000 runs. Trammell was named to six All-Star Teams while also winning four Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers, helping the Tigers win the 1984 World Series.

4. Lou Whitaker

You can’t talk about Alan Trammell without mentioning Lou Whitaker, with the two being teammates throughout almost their entire careers and best of friends. Whitaker was taken by the Tigers in the 1975 MLB Draft and made his debut in the same season as Trammell. The two were teammates all the way through the 1995 season, with Trammell playing just one more year than Sweet Lou.

Whitaker finished his 19-year-long career in Detroit with a .276 batting average, 244 home runs, and 1,084 runs batted in. Like Trammell, Whitaker also won his fair share of awards, including three Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers. Whitaker was named the 1978 Rookie of the Year and was selected to five All-Star Teams.

3. Charlie Gehringer

Charlie Gehringer was a Michigan man through and through, growing up in Fowlerville, Michigan, and attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Gehringer was signed by the Detroit Tigers after college and made his MLB debut in 1924. Though it would take a couple of years until he became a full-time player, Gehringer stuck around Detroit through his entire 19-year career.

Gehringer played all the way up to 1942, finishing his career with a .320 batting average and 184 home runs. He also knocked in 1,427 runs and won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1937. The Hall of Famer won the 1935 World Series with the Tigers and was named to six All-Star Teams during his illustrious career.

2. Al Kaline

Every franchise has that certain player that’s nicknamed “Mr. ___”, and for the Detroit Tigers, that someone is Al Kaline. Kaline was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, but came to Detroit at 18 years old to start his professional career with the Tigers in 1953. The end result would be a 22-year career that was entirely spent in the Motor City, all the way through the 1974 season.

During that time, Kaline was named to the All-Star Team a whopping 18 times and was given the Gold Glove Award in 10 different seasons. Kaline achieved the milestone of going over 3,000 career hits with the Tigers and came up just one home run short of 400. In 1980, Kaline was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1. Ty Cobb

Though his personal life was highly controversial, there’s no doubt that Ty Cobb was one of the best hitters in baseball history. In 1905, Cobb made his professional debut with the Tigers, and The Georgia Peach would spend 22 of his 24 MLB seasons in Detroit. Cobb had a record-setting .366 career batting average and knocked out 117 home runs.

At the time of his retirement, nobody in Major League history had more hits than Cobb, either. Of his 4,189 career hits, 3,900 of those came with Detroit. The one-time MVP had a total of 151.5 wins above replacement (WAR), which is still good enough for sixth all-time ahead of the likes of Hank Aaron, Roger Clemens and Stan Musial.