Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Detroit Free Press Entry Title: Ex-MLB player from Michigan's family shares emotions, embarrassing details of his death Entry Credit: Jeff Seidel Judge Comment: This compelling story is more of a public service than a sports story. The reporting, narrative writing and critical attention to detail make it a clear winner in this competition. But the real winner is the public who learns the reality of dealing with someone suffering from mental health issues. It's not being too dramatic to say this story will help save someone's life.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Detroit Free Press Entry Title: Inside the Penei Sewell pick and Brad Holmes' tone-setting first draft as Detroit Lions GM Entry Credit: Dave Birkett Judge Comment: Reporters are often begged by editors not to tell their readers about a subject, but rather show us or put us in that person's world. That's exactly what happens in this story. The writer gains the trust of a powerful sports figure in Detroit and the result is a compelling, inside look into the high stakes game of NFL Draft Day. Well done.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Detroit Free Press Entry Title: Michigan State football makes Mel Tucker's gigantic new contract official Entry Credit: Chris Solari, David Jesse Judge Comment: This was one of the biggest stories in college football in 2021 and one of the biggest contracts in the sports history. And the Free Press writers were all over it with comprehensive reporting and it's impact on the school, conference and the sport.
