The Man in Blue
When my brother was in high school, he wrote for the school paper under the pseudonym "The Man in Blue" because of his love for Michigan sports. Everyone who has met Andy talks about his remarkable memory, especially for times and dates. He could take you almost play-by-play through every Michigan game of the last 30 years. Yet, this season he hadn't watched a single game. I thought part of that was due to how terribly the team has played, and the fact that my brother lived in Prague, which makes it more difficult to watch, and more difficult to watch night games in particular. But there was a much bigger problem. On October 16th, my brother tried to take his own life, and on the 22nd had finally succumbed to his injuries. Andy was never one for a suit and tie, and our mother would like to lay him to rest in one of his Michigan sweaters.
Today, there will be a gathering to celebrate his life from 3 to 6 p.m. at his favorite sports bar in Prague, Jama, where he has watched almost every Michigan game for the last 14 years. But many of us will stay for the game at 9:30 p.m. For some of those watching, it might be their first American football game. But we'll be there, cheering our asses off for Michigan and for Andy. It will be a miracle if they win, but miracles do happen.
Go blue and rest in peace, Andy. We love you.
October 25th, 2014 at 2:24 AM ^
Thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
October 25th, 2014 at 2:28 AM ^
Heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
October 25th, 2014 at 3:50 AM ^
Thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this tough time from this man in blue. Out of respect for you and your family I wouldn't care retiring my name. Just say the words or pm me and it would be done, but more importantly know that we as a community will be thinking about your family and your man in blue during this trying time.
October 25th, 2014 at 2:59 AM ^
Pull for your team like never before! What a treasured memory . . .
October 25th, 2014 at 3:01 AM ^
Sorry to hear this. Hopefully it will be a positive day in Prague all things considered.
October 25th, 2014 at 3:15 AM ^
What sad news. You and your family will be in my prayers.
If the online translator I checked is reliable, the Czech expression would be jit modra--go blue.
October 25th, 2014 at 3:25 AM ^
Losing a family member at a young age like this is so tragic; my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
I hate so very much the stigma against mental illness in our society. Psychiatric complications are diseases in every way that diabetes and cancer also are. And it has been well proven that there are pathological components to them. However, it's often frowned upon when someone has a sickness like Depression or Bipolar Disorder, making those individuals less inclined to admit to others their problem or get help. It's very tragic and there really needs to be more awareness on such matters to put an end to the persistent stigma.
October 25th, 2014 at 7:49 AM ^
RIP Andy, and this post x1000000. Go Blue
October 25th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
I'm sorry to hear of this occurrence and hope comfort and solace come to everyone involved as soon as possible. With regard to depression, I have had major bouts with it and have had moments where I didn't even care about the team (easily my most beloved external enjoyment). I'm in a bit if that now but I'm not "there" as he was. I just want to include that anyone that says he was selfish, a coward, etc should be ignored. Nobody is inside the body and mind of another human being. I'm sad for everyone involved that he would find that to be the only option to relieve whatever he was going through. I've been very near there and it's heartbreaking, especially when you don't know what's wrong and you know you are loved. It's sadly, as posted, so taboo and stigmatized that the fear of talking to anyone about it for fear of "man up" speeches genuinely outweighs the fear of taking your own life. Again, I've been there and know he wasn't a coward or selfish. He was deeply troubled. I'm sorry for the loss.
October 25th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
have also had to deal with it. Lincoln called it his "melancolia" and for Churchill it was his "black dog". Neither man was a coward or whimp.
I went through a bout of depression about ten years back as well as anxiety. It sucks. You cannot just "rub some dirt on it" and expect it to go away.You need therapy.
October 25th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^
I'm sorry for OP's loss and the circumstances that led to it.
October 25th, 2014 at 4:53 AM ^
I'm so very sorry, my friend.
October 25th, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
For your loss.
October 25th, 2014 at 6:41 AM ^
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
October 25th, 2014 at 6:45 AM ^
My thoughts will be with you and your family today. Go Blue
October 25th, 2014 at 6:53 AM ^
sorry for your loss. Prayers
October 25th, 2014 at 6:58 AM ^
Man, I hate to hear that. When the game kicks off, we'll be thinking about your brother. God bless and Go Blue.
October 25th, 2014 at 7:04 AM ^
Rest in peace to the man in blue
October 25th, 2014 at 7:07 AM ^
I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost my brother, also a huge Michigan fan (though one who made me leave the Orange Bowl when overtime started to beat the traffic), almost two years ago. His memorial was the day of the Ohio State game. Mixing real life crap with sports fandom frustrations made for a very difficult game to watch.
October 25th, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^
So sorry for your loss.
October 25th, 2014 at 7:46 AM ^
very sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts are with you and your family at this time
October 25th, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^
Can be the greatest link between family members.
God Bless you Andy. Rest in peace.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:01 AM ^
My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:02 AM ^
So sorry this happened. My thoughts are with you and your family.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:08 AM ^
Go Blue Andy!
Rest easy fella.
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October 25th, 2014 at 8:13 AM ^
Very tragic news. Very sorry for your loss and I shall keep you and your family in my thoughts during this difficult time.
As other have said, let's hope Andy would be able to celebrate around 7 PM EDT this evening.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:17 AM ^
Sad news, sorry to hear, I'm hoping tonight we'll be celebrating, and so will your brother. RIP Andy
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October 25th, 2014 at 8:19 AM ^
The men in blue give the man in blue something to smile about today.
Either way, enjoy the great memories.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:27 AM ^
My condolence. RIP Andy.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^
I am very sorry for your loss. Hopefully MICH can #WinForAndy today.
October 25th, 2014 at 8:45 AM ^
My thought and prayers are with you and your family. Go Blue!
October 25th, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^
So sorry for your loss. May you find some comfort in your memories of your brother and in your shared Michigan fandom.
October 25th, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^
Sincere sympathy. Thank you for telling us about him.
October 25th, 2014 at 9:47 AM ^
Tears for me. Peace for Andy.
October 25th, 2014 at 10:15 AM ^
Puts things in perspective but another reason to cheer for The Blue
October 25th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
Mircales do happen. God bless your brother. May you & your family be comforted in this time most difficult time knowing that he rests in peace...
October 25th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
kinda reminds you what's really important.
October 25th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
I am so sorry for your loss. May you all find peace in the absence of your loved one.
RIP Andy - The Man in Blue
October 25th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
RIP for the deceased and LIP for the bereaved.
October 25th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
October 25th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss, but I want to thank you for your post. I can only imagine the tears you shed while writing about Andy, and I cannot even begin to imagine the tears you will shed today, but I do want to thank you for sharing with us all and letting us grieve with you. While Michigan football is important to most (if not all) of those who read this blog, your post reminds us of things infinitely more important.
My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family today.
Pax
October 25th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
Sorry for your loss man. Sometimes we forget that there are things more important than football. RIP Andy
October 25th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
to share this and remind us all what matters.
For people out there struggling under the weight of so much pain.. please talk to someone
October 25th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
You have my condolences, for what that's worth.
Go Blue.
October 25th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
Hang in there bud, he's gonna be watching today and hopefully the kids can pull out a victory for him.
HAIL
October 25th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
comfort in your memories, may Andy rest in eternal peace, may we be humbled by all we don't know about the roads we each travel.
October 25th, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^
I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you have many happy memories with your brother. May he rest in peace.
October 25th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
I feel badly for your family's loss, and hope that good things happen soon.
October 25th, 2014 at 1:51 PM ^
You do credit to your brother- cherish your memories. He is in a better place now.