Western Michigan Helmet Honoring Mike Sadler

Western Michigan takes on Michigan State today at 3:30 PM here in East Lansing. But months ago new Coach Tim Lester reached out to the mother (Karen) of deceased Spartan ICON and former punter Mike Sadler.

The Sadler family is close personal friends of mine and have been since before Mike was ever a Spartan. Karen let me know that WMU had reached out to her months ago to honor Mike. Here is the backstory she told me.

“The Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell was a lot like Mike. Terrell won the first Michael Sadler award from the NFF Michigan Chapter for being the top division one scholar athlete. Mike had won that award several times. When Mike won it, it was called John Pingel award. That award has been in existence for decades and when Mike died the NFF renamed the award.”

She added, “Terrell won that award last February. When he won it, he and Western Michigan Coach Tim Lester said they wanted to dedicate a game to Mike this season. They educated their team about Mike and all of their pre-game materials are about Mike. Every one of those boys (team) knew about Mike. I went to the hotel to thank them last night and they were warm hearted, polite and 100% class. They told me things about Mike and I felt like I was among friend and family. Didn't matter at the hotel last night if a player was black or white, defense or offense they stood and said something about Mike. A class move by a class organization. I am so appreciative and thankful to WMU for doing this for Michael.”

So not only have the Broncos been honoring Mike for months, today they will be wearing a green number three on the back of their helmets. Something that moved Karen Sadler, “To not only be wearing Michael’s number but to also have it in green when playing Michigan State, was a class move and very kind. I want to thank WMU, Coach Lester, Zach and the team.”