Harwell, 91 has incurable Cancer

From Detnews.com

He'd been waiting for test results.

His voice last week sounded strong -- as strong as always. By the end of the conversation, however, it didn't.

Ernie Harwell, the treasured voice of the Tigers for all those years, has incurable bile duct cancer. In comments to the Detroit Free Press on Thursday, he said he won't undergo surgery.

But in those same comments, he said he's ready for the next adventure.

It's been no secret lately that Ernie -- as nearly everyone knows him -- hadn't been feeling well. He was in the hospital, then out. There'd been speculation about pneumonia. But most of all there'd been speculation something was wrong.

"Just feeling a little weak at times," he said when called by The Detroit News recently. "We'll see where this takes us. I know I'll be in good hands."

Now he also knows what was wrong.

"We don't know how long this lasts," Harwell, 91, told the Free Press. "It could be a year. It could be much less than a year, much less than a half year. Who knows? Whatever is in store, I'm ready for a new adventure."

That's Ernie for you.

Life always has been an adventure for him. From his boyhood days in Georgia, to serving in the Marines, to broadcasting Bobby Thomson's famous home run for the New York Giants-- to becoming a Hall of Fame broadcaster with the Tigers.

Life's challenge will be an adventure as well.

"I'm ready to face what comes," he told the Free Press, "whether it's a long time or short time. It's up to my Lord and savior."

Spartans to Wear State of Michigan Helmet Decal

Michigan State football players will wear a decal of a silver outline of the state of Michigan on the backs of their helmets as a show for the down economy and struggling auto industry.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio came up with the idea, and athletic director Mark Hollis made the "Silver Lining" campaign a reality.

The state symbol is a take-off on the round "ANF" -- American Needs Farmers -- stickers affixed to Iowa's helmets in the 1980s as a show of support for that state's beleaguered agriculture industry.

"Given the challenging economic conditions that we face in the state of Michigan, we wanted to show support for the residents and businesses in our home state and encourage everyone to unite for our common good," Dantonio said in a statement issued by MSU.

Forcier to Start at QB for Wolverines

Freshman Tate Forcier, who enrolled early and got valuable practice time during the spring, will be the starting quarterback when Michigan opens its season against Western Michigan on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

Forcier will be the third freshman since Rick Leach in 1975 to start at quarterback his freshman year. Chad Henne started in 2004.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez revealed his decision during his weekly radio show Thursday night. He reiterated what he has said for more than a week -- that all three quarterbacks, including junior Nick Sheridan and freshman Denard Robinson, will play.