We’re just days away from the Michigan Wolverines taking on the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
One Metro Detroit family won’t be rooting for the Wolverines, though, and it’s not because they’re Michigan State Spartan fans.
Twin brothers Jayvon and Armon Parker graduated from Dearborn Public Schools but now play for the Huskies.
“People ask, they got the nerve to say, ‘Who are you going for,’ Umm, hello,” said Rita Parker.
Rita and Marcus Parker can’t help but be proud that their twin sons, 19-year-olds Jayvon and Armon, get to experience a national championship so early in their college careers.
“It’s going to be a great game, and I’m excited about it,” Rita said. “They’re excited about it. Those guys are humble, they are amazing, and they work hard.”
The parents said this opportunity wasn’t given to them as they earned it.
When the twins were about six, their father, Marcus, would take them to all their Detroit PAL football practices and games.
“I loved it,” Marcus said. “I played. So, I got them into flower seeds. They went from there.”
The young men attended and played for Dearborn Advanced Technology Academy and Fordson High School.
Now sophomores at the University of Washington studying real estate and business, their parents haven’t missed a game, including the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Read: Harbaugh removes thorns from postseason struggles as Michigan football wins OT Rose Bowl thriller
Rita recognizes that the national championship against Michigan will be different.
“I’m like, ‘But this is where you’re from, how do you feel?’ He (her son) said, ‘It’s almost the same feeling as when he played Michigan State,” Rita said. “It feels really good to come home or play somebody from home because it’s a little bit of a show and prove because, you know, they had offers here, and so now look where we are.”
Local 4′s Bernie Smilovitz and Hobie Artigue will be there to bring you all the action live from Houston on Monday (Jan. 8) at 6:30 p.m.!
Only on Local 4, a 30-minute chase for the championship special with player interviews and some super fan stories you won’t want to miss.
Read: Metro Detroiters prep for Michigan Wolverines title game in Houston