Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions is a Michigan guy these days, as he’s something of a hero in Detroit and across the Mitten. But Goff, who grew up in the Bay Area, has never said who he favors in the Michigan vs. Michigan State college football rivalry. Sure, Ohio State is Michigan’s biggest rival from a national standpoint. But, in the Mitten, it’s all about Michigan vs. Michigan State.
So, is Goff a Wolverine fan or a Spartan fan?
Jared Goff Speaks Out on the Michigan-Michigan State Rivalry
Goff, who is entering his fourth year as the Lions’ quarterback, chatted on the August 9 episode of the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast, hosted by Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. Of course, most of the discussion was about the Lions, Detroit’s strategies and expectations for the season, the team’s attempt to turn around decades of mostly losing, being traded from the Los Angeles Rams and more. But, they also talked about the famous Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry.
“You’re in a state that’s very divided from a college standpoint,” Lewan said to Goff on the podcast. “Who do you side with, Michigan or Michigan State?”
Spartan fans hoping to get some love will be disappointed with Goff’s answer. It took no time for Goff to declare he’s a Wolverine fan.
“Michigan, Michigan. And not just because you’re sitting here,” Goff said, referring to the fact Lewan played for the University of Michigan from 2009 to 2013. “It’s just because where I live and nearby here, it’s a lot of Michigan alum. And so, I really don’t know many Michigan State alum personally.”
Goff played three years at California University from 2013 to 2015, according to Sportskeeda.com, before leaving college to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams and spent five seasons with the Rams before getting traded to the Lions. It’s something of a Cinderella story, as Goff’s rejection from Los Angeles resulted in him leading the Lions to their first NFC Championship in 30 years. Now, the Lions are seen as one of the biggest Super Bowl contenders going into the 2024 season.
On Getting Traded From the Rams to the Lions
Goff also discussed the Los Angeles to Detroit trade during the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast interview, saying it changed his perspective on some things and made him “less naive.”
“I think when I was younger, it was like, ‘Oh, they love me. We signed the extension. Here we go. We’re going to be together for 15 years,’ and everyone thinks that, right? And eventually, that changes, and I think it’s a lot of my perspective to be much better on what it is, and the relationships are important and it is family and you love your guys, but at the end of the day, you do know that there are powers at be that will do what is in their minds best for the team.”
The Detroit Lions’ 2024 regular season starts on Sunday, September 8, at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time at Ford Field in Detroit against the Rams.
