Spartans gather to honor Mike Sadler

One year after Mike Sadler died in a car crash, the former punter was honored by his friends and family in Grand Rapids.

Hosted by The Sadler Foundation, Spartans from across the state and beyond came to Founders Brewing for the 1st Annual Mike Sadler Celebration of Life. Guests could take pictures with Michigan State cheerleaders, take part in a silent auction and drink plenty of Founders special beer Sadler’s Run Apricot Wheat.

MSU head coach Mark Dantonio was among the many who sported Sadler’s No. 3 Michigan State shirt. One day before the start of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, Dantonio took pictures with fans and spent time with alumni.

Among the alumni in attendance were former MSU teammates Connor Cook and Darien Harris. Earlier in the week, Harris wrote a touching story for The Athletic about Sadler.

I first met Mike not in a football setting, but in an academic setting, which is exactly what I would have wanted if given the choice. Sitting in our academic advisor Mandy Chandler’s office, I immediately realized why he was already known as the smartest kid on the football team as a redshirt freshman. I simply listened to him speak.

Both current and former Spartans football players who weren’t able to make it to Grand Rapids showed their support online, including Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard.

The Mike Sadler Foundation will host a second event in Mike’s honor later in July, again in Grand Rapids. The Foundation is partnering with Kohl’s Kicking to host the first Mike Sadler Specialist Camp.