Spartans past, present share emotional tale of game balls

EAST LANSING – Bob Apisa was the last one out of the Michigan State locker room on Oct. 8, 1966 at Spartan Stadium, carrying with him the game ball he received from Duffy Daugherty for his 140-yard rushing effort in a 20-7 win over Michigan.

The next couple of minutes seemed like no big deal at the time. Nearly a half century later, they became the backdrop for most compelling story to emerge from another weekend at MSU, another win over Michigan. It involved Apisa, Mark Dantonio, Mark Hollis, three game balls and several adults shedding tears.

One of them was Nick Wittner, a 60-year-old MSU grad, MSU law professor and international attorney from Northville who contacted the Free Press to make sure others got to hear it.

“I want this to be the story people are talking about, not the story of a stake in the ground,” Wittner said. “This story not only took my breath away, it slammed me in the chest.” - Read more at Freep.com