GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The line outside of Atwater Brewery grew larger and larger as the clock inched closer to noon. Inside, a group of 20 volunteers put the finishing touches on the day. Food had been prepared, decorations had been set up, and downtown Grand Rapid’s Monroe Avenue had been blocked off to provide extra space, which was needed after the doors opened and a couple hundred people were welcomed inside the brewery on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.



The driving force behind the collective group of people was Mike Sadler, a Grand Rapids native and former Michigan State football player.



The Spartan community remembers Mike for his easy-to-root-for presence on the field and his charm on social media. His antics and celebrations after each punt quickly made him a fan favorite and beloved member of the team, even after his final collegiate game. Mike’s teammates remember him as leader and a first-team All-America punter who could pinpoint each kick...