Emotional U-M fans greet the champions

After waiting in rain, they cheer on their team’s return

Under freezing rain and a black sky, a sea of hundreds of fans patiently waited to greet their Victors.

For the first time since 1997, the University of Michigan Wolverines won the national championship in a faceoff against the University of Washington Huskies. The victors received a more-than-warm welcome, despite the miserably wet weather for fans honored to have witnessed the historic moments.

“All glory to God,” coach Jim Harbaugh said in his first words to the crowd after the cheering calmed. “It was a mission, it had lofty aspirations and high goals and we never lost sight of those goals. We never lost sight of the mission and we completed the mission.”

In response to Harbaugh’s prompting, “Who’s doing it better than us?” Wolverines of the past, present, and future stood on the team’s practice field and cheered their lungs out, screaming, “Nobody!”

Multiple team members promised to “run it back next year.”

Matt and Abby Fate, Ann Arbor residents and longtime Michigan fans, joined the celebration decked out under maize and blue ponchos and umbrellas.

“It was emotional to watch them win. I was sobbing, we were both sobbing,” said Abby Fate. “I’ve been a Michigan fan since I was born so it’s been a long time coming, always dreaming of this day, so it’s special to see them in person and be able to celebrate with them.”

The big event faded out to the sound of Queen’s “We Are The Champions” as fans one by one slipped out of the field.

The University of Michigan is expected to release details regarding a formal celebration on Saturday.