Walz visits the Big House while helping launch ‘Athletes for Harris’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, marked the launch of “Athletes for Harris” with a Saturday visit to the University of Michigan, where he attended the Wolverines’ home football game against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Harris campaign announced Saturday that Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a former Michigan State Spartan and NBA Hall of Famer, would be a captain of “Athletes for Harris.”

“I have known Vice President Harris for over 25 years, and you can count on her to deliver on what she says she is going to do. She’ll be a President for all people, no matter the race, language, sexual orientation, or party line,” Johnson said.

“For all of the athletes out there, don’t be afraid to use your platforms – we need all of you to get involved,” Johnson said. “The Magic Man is on board.”

Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson also endorsed Harris as part of the rollout Saturday, joining 14 other professional football hall-of-famers.

Walz planned to mingle with students from both universities during the game, discussing the importance of organizing on campus.

There were more than five campaign events taking place at the University of Michigan on Saturday, according to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Walz visited one such tailgate before the event, taking photos and chatting with attendees – though some tailgaters could be heard asking who was drawing the large media and security presence.

Victoria LaCivita, communications director for the Michigan GOP, said in a statement that “the Wolverines are going to send Minnesota’s Golden Gophers packing – the same way Michiganders are going to send Tim Walz back to Minnesota this November.”

The Wolverines held off the Golden Gophers for a 27-24 win.

Walz arrived in Michigan on Thursday for several days of debate preparation in Harbor Springs, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Traverse City resident, standing in as Republican vice presidential nominee Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, The New York Times reported.

Students and elected officials braved pouring rain to join the Minnesota governor and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz when they arrived at Willow Run Airport in Belleville on Saturday. Walz’s motorcade to the stadium was joined by students riding on a spirit bus that read “put me in coach.”

Others greeting the Democratic running mate at the airport included U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.

Dingell – who noted that she correctly warned the campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016 that they were in danger of losing Michigan to former President Donald Trump – said that “nobody is winning this state right now.”

“We’re doing what we’ve got to do, but we’ve got to take it very seriously,” Dingell said. “We cannot take one thing for granted from now until Election Day.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrive at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, greets student voters awaiting the arrival of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, greets student voters awaiting the arrival of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Student voters await the arrival of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Students for Harris at the University of Michigan co-president Audrey Clayton, left, and Michigan College Democrats president Adam Lacasse, center, await the arrival of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Security stands by as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits a tailgate outside Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz greets attendees at a tailgate outside Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz greets attendees at a tailgate outside Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrive at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrive at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrive at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrives at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the field of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 28, 2024. Walz attended the University of Michigan vs University of Minnesota football game. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)