2021 in Michigan
Calendar year
Events from the year 2021 in Michigan .
Major events in Michigan in 2021 included the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan , the Oxford High School shooting , disruptions in the supply chain slowing the automobile industry, the 2021 Kellogg's strike , and legal proceedings relating to the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot .
Major sports stories in 2021 included the 2021 Michigan Wolverines football team defeating Ohio State, winning the Big Ten Conference championship, and advancing to the College Football Playoffs for the first time in school history. Other notable sports stories included (i) the Detroit Lions trading quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams , (ii) the 2020–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team finishing the season ranked No. 4 and advancing to the Elite Eight, (iii) the 2021 Michigan State Spartans football team finishing the season ranked No. 8 in the Coaches Poll , (iv) the induction of Calvin Johnson and Charles Woodson into the Pro Football Hall of Fame , and (v) the undefeated 2021 Ferris State Bulldogs football team winning the NCAA Division II national championship. The Detroit Tigers , Detroit Lions , Detroit Red Wings , and Detroit Pistons all compiled losing records
Office holders
State office holders
Gretchen Whitmer
Mayors of major cities
Mike Duggan
Federal office holders
Debbie Stabenow Gary Peters
Population of largest cities
The state's 15 largest cities, based on U.S. Census estimates for 2021,[ 1]
2021
City
County
2000 pop.
2010 pop.
2020 pop.
2021 pop. (est)[ 1]
Change 2000-21
1
Detroit Wayne 951,270
713,777
639,111
632,464
−33.5%
2
Grand Rapids Kent 197,800
188,036
198,917
198,173
0.2%
3
Sterling Heights Macomb
124,471
129,699
134,346
133,269
7.1%
4
Warren Macomb 138,247
134,056
139,387
138,130
0.1%
5
Ann Arbor Washtenaw 114,024
113,934
123,851
121,536
6.6%
6
Lansing Ingham 119,128
114,297
112,644
112,684
5.4%
7
Dearborn Wayne
97,775
98,153
109,976
108,420
8.9%
8
Livonia Wayne
100,545
96,942
95,534
94,422
6.1%
9
Troy Oakland 80,959
80,980
87,294
86,836
7.3%
10
Westland Wayne
86,602
84,094
85,420
84,515
11
Farmington Hills Oakland
82,111
79,740
83,986
83,292
12
Flint Genesee 124,943
102,434
81,252
80,628
35.5%
13
Wyoming Kent
69,368
72,125
76,501
76,749
14
Southfield
Oakland
78,322
71,758
76,618
75,898
15
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo 76,145
74,262
73,598
73,257
Sports
Baseball
2021 Detroit Tigers season – In their first year under manager A. J. Hinch , the Tigers began the season 9–24, but played over .500 the rest of the year and compiled a 77–85 record. The team's statistical leaders included Harold Castro with a .283 batting average, Robbie Grossman with 23 home runs, Jonathan Schoop with 84 RBIs, and Tarik Skubal with eight wins and 164 strikeouts.[ 2] 2021 Michigan Wolverines baseball team - In their ninth season under head coach Erik Bakich , the team compiled a 27–19 record.2021 Michigan Wolverines softball team - In their 37th season under head coach Carol Hutchins , the team compiles a 38–8 record and was the Big Ten regular season champion.2021 Little League World Series - Taylor North Little League of Taylor, Michigan , defeated West Side Little League of Hamilton, Ohio , in the championship by a 5–2 score. It was the first championship for a team from Michigan since 1959.
2021 Detroit Lions season - Led by head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions compiled a 3–13–1 record. The team's statistical leaders included Jared Goff with 3,245 passing yards, D'Andre Swift with 617 rushing yards, and Amon-Ra St. Brown with 912 receiving yards.[ 3] 2021 Michigan Wolverines football team - Led by head coach Jim Harbaugh , the Wolverines compiled a 12–2 record, won the Big Ten championship, and played for the first time in school history in the College Football Playoff , losing to eventual national champion Georgia. The team's statistical leaders included Cade McNamara with 2,576 passing yards and Hassan Haskins with 1,327 rushing yards. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was a unanimous All-American and finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy .2021 Michigan State Spartans football team - Led by head coach Mel Tucker , the Spartans compiled an 11–2 record and defeated Pitt in the Peach Bowl. The team's statistical leaders included Payton Thorne with 3,232 passing yards, Kenneth Walker III with 1,636 rushing yards, and Jayden Reed with 1,026 receiving yards. Walker won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker Awards.[ 4] 2021 Ferris State Bulldogs football team - Led by head coach Tony Annese , the Bulldogs compiled a perfect 14–0 record and won the NCAA Division II national championship.[ 5] 2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team - Led by head coach Jim McElwain , the Chippewas compiled a 9–4 record and defeated Washington State in the Sun Bowl.[ 6] 2021 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team - Led by head coach Chris Creighton , the Eagles compiled a 7–6 record and lost to Liberty in the LendingTree Bowl.[ 7] 2021 Western Michigan Broncos football team - Led by head coach Tim Lester , the Broncos compiled an 8–5 record and defeated Nevada in the Quick Lane Bowl.[ 8] 2021 Michigan Tech Huskies football team - Led by head coach Steve Olson, the Huskies compiled a 6–4 record.[ 9]
Basketball
Ice hockey
Other
Chronology of events
January
January to February - Chip shortages disrupt automobile manufacturing.
January 7 - Following the January 6 insurrection , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos of Michigan resigned, blaming Trump's rhetoric for impacting the situation
January 11 - Michigan banned the open carry of guns inside the Michigan Capitol.
January 13 - The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump for inciting the January 6 insurrection. Michigan Republican Congressmen Peter Meijer and Fred Upton voted in favor of impeachment. Faced with primary challenges in 2022, Upton opted to resign, and Meijer lost in the primary.
January 14 - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced new indictments against former Gov. Rick Snyder and others for their roles in the Flint water crisis.
January 15 - Michigan State Capitol boarded up and National Guard activated in preparation for armed protests on January 17.
January 18 - Republican Aaron Van Langevelde was not nominated for another term by his party. He had resisted partisan pressure not to certify Biden's victory in 2020.
January 19 - Gov. Whitmer announced a $5 billion COVID recovery plan
January 20 - Kwame Kilpatrick released from prison after President Trump commuted his sentence.
January 21 - Dan Campbell hired as Detroit Lions' head coach.
January 21 - Michael Joseph Foy of Wixom charged with hitting police with a hockey stick during the January 6 insurrection.
January 22 - Gov Whitmer announced that indoor dining would resume on February 1.
January - Detroit Lions trade Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams
January 24 - Jason Wentworth named speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.
January 26 - Gov. Whitmer delivered her State of the State address, outlining $3.6 billion capital-spending plan.
January 27 - Fiat Chrysler pleads guilty in federal corruption probe and agreed to pay $30 million fine.
January 26 - Detroit native Roz Brewer became the first black woman to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Walgreens.
February
February 6 - Calvin Johnson and Charles Woodson selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame .
February 12 - Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that a statewide election audit affirmed the results of the 2020 Presidential election in Michigan.
February 15 - Blake Griffin and Detroit Pistons agree to part ways.
February 18 - Andrea Shaw of Detroit wins Ms. Olympia title
February 19 - President Biden visited Pfizer's plant in Portage, Michigan.
February 25 - Former Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert committed suicide after being charged with human trafficking, racketeering and sexual assault.
February - Alice Cooper records new album in Royal Oak
March
March 2 - Gov. Whitmer eased orders limiting occupancy in restaurants, shops and other businesses. Nursing homes also permitted to allow visitors.
March 4 - Michigan beat Michigan State to win Big Ten basketball tournament.
March 15 - Steven Yeun , who grew up in Detroit suburbs of Taylor and Troy, nominated for best actor Academy Award for his role in "Minari ".
April
May
June
July
August
September
September 30 - Juwan Deering released after 15 years in prison after the current prosecutor agreed that he did not receive a fair trial on charges of setting a fire that killed five children.[ 16]
October
October 30 - Michigan State upset Michigan, 37–33, in East Lansing.[ 17]
November
November 2 - Mike Duggan reelected as mayor of Detroit, defeating Anthony Adams. Six new members elected to the Detroit City Council.[ 18]
November 2 - Hamtramck became the first city in the US with a city council consisting of all Muslims.[ 19]
November 12 - Michigan journalist Danny Fenster sentenced to 11 years in prison with hard labor in military-ruled Myanmar.[ 20] [ 21]
November 27 - Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State, 42–27, before a crowd of 111,156 at Michigan Stadium. It was Michigan's first victory over its rival since 2011.[ 22]
November 30 - A mass shooting occurred at Oxford High School in the Detroit exurb of Oxford Township, Michigan , United States. Four students were killed, and seven other people were injured, including a teacher. Authorities arrested and charged 15-year-old sophomore Ethan Crumbley as an adult for 24 crimes, including murder and terrorism.[ 23] [ 24]
December
December - Omicron variant of COVID spreads in Michigan.[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 28] [ 29]
December 4 - The parents of Ethan Crumbley are charged in connection with the Oxford school shooting.[ 30] [ 31] [ 32] [ 33] [ 34]
December 4 - Michigan defeated Iowa, 42–3, in the Big Ten Championship Game
December 5 - The Detroit Lions win their first game of the season, playing for the victims of the Oxford school shooting.[ 35]
December 9 - Attorney Geoffrey Fieger announced a $100-million lawsuit against the Oxford school district for allowing a "deranged, homicidal student to return to the class with a gun in his backpack."[ 36]
December 13 - Motion to move Ethan Crumbley from adult prison to juvenile facility pending outcome of trial was denied by the court.[ 37]
December 17 - Bernie Sanders appears at rally with striking Kellogg's workers in Battle Creek, Michigan .[ 38]
December 22 - Ferris State defeated Valdosta State in the NCAA Division II national championship game.[ 39]
December 31 - Michigan lost to Georgia, 34–11, in the Orange Bowl
Deaths
Frank J. Kelley Carl Levin Barbara Rose Collins Bill Freehan January 14 - Shirley Johnson , member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1981–1992, 1993–1998) and Senate (1999–2004), at age 83.[ 40]
February 8 - Mary Wilson , founding member of The Supremes , at age 78 in Henderson, Nevada [ 41] [ 42]
March 3 - Joe Altobelli , Detroit native and MLB manager 1977–1985, at age 88 in Rochester, New York [ 43]
March 5 - Frank J. Kelley , Attorney General of Michigan 1961–1999, at age 96 in Naples, Florida [ 44] [ 45]
April 17 - Bill Mogk , Michigan first baseman and UM Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, at age 89
April 30 - Eli Broad , billionaire and Michigan State alumnus and benefactor, at age 87 in Los Angeles[ 46]
May 1 - Joseph Z. Nederlander , theater owner and operator, at age 93 in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan
May 12 - Jerry Burns , Michigan football (1947-1950) and coach for Minnesota Vikings (1986-1991), at age 94 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota [ 47]
May 26 - Tom Shannon , CKLW disc jockey and morning show host on Detroit Channel [ 48]
May 31 - Mike Marshall , MLB pitcher 1967–1981, first relief pitcher to win Cy Young Award, and native of Adrian, Michigan , at age 78 in Florida[ 49]
July 26 - Mike Howe , Metal Church singer and native of Taylor, Michigan , at age 55 in Eureka, California [ 50]
July 29 - Carl Levin , US Senator from Michigan 1979–2015, at age 87 in Detroit[ 51]
August 10 - Tony Esposito , hockey goaltender for Michigan Tech and in NHL, Hockey Hall of Fame, at age 78 in Chicago[ 52]
August 15 - Leonard Thompson , Detroit Lions wide receiver 1975–1986, at age 69 in Phoenix[ 53]
August 19 - Bill Freehan , Detroit Tigers catcher 1961–1976, at age 79 in Walloon Lake, Michigan [ 54]
September 17 - Roger Brown , Detroit Lions defensive tackle 1960–1966 and 6x Pro Bowl, at age 84[ 55]
October 1 - Andrea Schroeder , member of the Michigan House of Representatives (since 2019), at age 57.[ 56]
October 13 - Dale Kildee , US Congressman 1977–2013, at age 92 in Arlington, Virginia [ 57]
October 16 - Dennis Franks , Michigan center (1971-1974) and NFL (1976-1979), at age 68 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania [ 58]
October 16 - Pat Studstill , Detroit Lions 1961–1967, 2x Pro Bowl, at age 83 in Los Angeles[ 59]
October 18 - William Lucking , actor (Sons of Anarchy ) and native of Vicksburg, Michigan , at age 80 in Las Vegas[ 60]
October 26 - Mike Lucci , linebacker for Detroit Lions 1965–1973, at age 81 in Florida[ 61]
November 4
November 21 - Mary C. Brown , member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1977–1994), at age 86 in Kalamazoo [ 64]
November 23 - Bill Virdon , native of Hazel Park, Michigan , MLB center fielder and manager, at age 90 in Springfield, Missouri [ 65]
November 24 - Marilyn McLeod , singer, songwriter ("Love Hangover "), and Detroit native at age 82
December 8 - Barry Harris , Detroit native, bebop pianist and composer, at age 91 in North Bergen, New Jersey [ 66]
December 15 - Wanda Young , member of The Marvelettes at age 78 in Garden City, Michigan [ 67]
References
^ a b Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Michigan: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021, U.S. Census Bureau, May 2022.
^ "2021 Detroit Tigers Statistics" . Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .^ "2021 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Sports Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2021 Michigan State Spartans Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2021 Ferris State Football Schedule" . Ferris State University. Retrieved September 6, 2021 .^ "2021 Central Michigan Chippewas Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2021 Eastern Michigan Eagles Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2021 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2021-22 Football Schedule" . Michigan Tech Huskies. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "2020-21 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats" . Sports Reference LLC.^ "2020-21 Michigan Wolverines Roster and Stats" . Sports Reference LLC.^ "2020-21 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats" . Sports Reference LLC.^ "2020-21 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics" . Sports Reference LLC.^ "U. of Michigan 2020-21 roster and statistics" . hockeyDB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "Michigan State University 2020-21 roster and statistics" . hockeyDB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022 .^ "Man Sentenced To Life For Fire That Killed 5 Kids Is Released" . Detroit Free Press . October 1, 2021. pp. 1A, 6A – via Newspapers.com .^ Mitch Albom (October 31, 2021). "Green Energy" . Detroit Free Press . p. A1 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "A new-look council joins Duggan to lead Detroit: 6 new members elected in wake of corruption probes" . Detroit Free Press . November 4, 2021. pp. 1A, 11A – via Newspapers.com .^ "All-Muslim Hamtramck council may be 1st i US" . Detroit Free Press . November 6, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Myanmar slams Mich. journalist: 11 years in jail" . Detroit Free Press . November 13, 2021. p. 1A, 6A – via Newspapers.com .^ "A Family's Relief, Gratitude" . Detroit Free Press . November 16, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Michigan To Ohio State: Not This Time" . Detroit Free Press . November 28, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ Mitch Albom (December 1, 2021). "Day of Shock and Sorrow in Oxford" . Detroit Free Press . p. 1A – via Newspapers.com . ^ "After Chaos, Fallout: Honor student, athletes, artist slain" . Detroit Free Press . December 2, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Omicron gains a toehold in Michigan" . Detroit Free Press . December 16, 2021. pp. 1A, 7A – via Newspapers.com .^ "COVID-19 once again mars hopes for holiday" . Detroit Free Press . December 25, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Airlines continue too cancel flights by hundreds" . Detroit Free Press . December 27, 2021. pp. 1A, 6A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Virus cases in state hit pandemic high" . Detroit Free Press . December 30, 2021. pp. 1A, 6A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Treatments are rationed as omicron keeps surging" . Detroit Free Press . December 31, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Suspect's parents face charges" . Detroit Free Press . December 4, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Crumbley family all behind bars" . Detroit Free Press . December 5, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Parents get high-profile lawyers, not son" . Detroit Free Press . December 7, 2021. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com .^ "New details emerge about family at center of Oxford school shooting" . Detroit Free Press . December 12, 2021. pp. 1A, 21A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Prosecutor: Crumbleys were blind to son's danger" . Detroit Free Press . December 24, 2021. pp. 1A, 7A – via Newspapers.com .^ "After the Sorrow, Joy" . Detroit Free Press . December 6, 2021. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Fieger: The horror was preventable" . Detroit Free Press . December 10, 2021. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Judge: Teen to remain in jail" . Detroit Free Press . December 14, 2021. pp. 1A, 5A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Sanders snaps, crackles pops for striking Kellogg's workers" . Detroit Free Press . December 18, 2021. pp. 8A, 11A – via Newspapers.com .^ "Running Wild" . Detroit Free Press . December 23, 2021. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com .^ Longtime Oakland County state lawmaker Shirley Johnson dies ^ Derrick Bryson Taylor (February 9, 2022). "Mary Wilson, an Original Member of the Supremes, Dies at 76" . The New York Times . ^ " . Detroit Free Press . February 10, 2021. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com .^ Justin Murphy, Sean Lahman (March 3, 2021). "Joe Altobelli dies: Rochester's 'Mr. Baseball' led Orioles to last title" . Rochester Democrat and Chronicle . ^ "Longtime Michigan attorney general Frank Kelley dies" . AP News. March 6, 2021.^ "Frank Kelley 1924-2021: Michigan 'eternal general' was 'mentor to many' in politics, business" . Detroit Free Press . March 7, 2021. pp. 1A, 14A – via Newspapers.com .^ Mark Hicks (April 30, 2021). "Entrepreneur Eli Broad, who gave millions to Michigan State, dies at 87" . The Detroit News . ^ "Former Minnesota Vikings coach Jerry Burns dies at age 94" . ESPN. May 12, 2021.^ "Tom Shannon, Legendary CKLW Broadcaster Dies at 82" . iHeart Radio. May 27, 2021.^ Richard Goldstein (June 3, 2021). "Mike Marshall, 78, First Relief Pitcher to Win Cy Young Award, Dies" . The New York Times . ^ "Metal Church Singer Mike Howe Has Died at Age 55" . Loudwire. July 27, 2021.^ Robert D. McFadden (July 29, 2021). "Carl Levin, the Senate Scourge of Corporate America, Dies at 87" . The New York Times . ^ "Huskies mourn passing of Tony Esposito" . Michigan Tech Huskies. August 10, 2021.^ "Former Lions wide receiver Leonard Thompson dies at 69" . The Detroit News . August 18, 2021.^ Bill Dow (August 19, 2021). "Detroit Tigers great Bill Freehan dies at age 79 after long battle with dementia" . Detroit Free Press . ^ Marlowe Alter (September 17, 2021). "Roger Brown, Pro Bowl member of Detroit Lions' Fearsome Foursome, dies at 84 years old" . Detroit Free Press . ^ Michigan state Rep. Andrea Schroeder dies of stomach cancer ^ "Dale Kildee, who represented Flint area in Congress for 36 years, dies at 92" . Mlive.com . October 13, 2021.^ Gary Miles (October 22, 2021). "Dennis Franks, former Eagles special teams captain, businessman, speaker, and author, dies at 68" . The Philadelphia Inquirer . ^ Tony Paul (October 18, 2021). "Pat Studstill, Lions' Pro Bowl receiver, punter in '60s who went into acting, dies at 83" . The Detroit News . ^ "William Lucking, Actor on 'Sons of Anarchy,' Dies at 80" . Variety. November 4, 2021.^ "Mike Lucci, former Lions Pro Bowl linebacker, dies at 81" . The Detroit News . October 26, 2021.^ Bill Laitner (November 4, 2021). "Barbara-Rose Collins, Michigan's first Black woman in Congress, dies at 82" . Detroit Free Press . ^ Tony Paul (November 11, 2021). "Roger Zatkoff, who won Rose Bowl at UM, NFL title with Lions, dies at 90" . The Detroit News . ^ "Legislator Details - Mary Carney Brown" . Library of Michigan . Retrieved March 25, 2023 .^ Richard Goldstein (November 23, 2011). "Bill Virdon, Quiet Manager of Four M.L.B. Teams, Dies at 90" . The New York Times . ^ "Barry Harris beloved jazz pianist devoted to bebop dies at 91" . NPR. December 8, 2021.^ Richard Sandomir (December 25, 2021). "Wanda Young, Motown Hitmaker With the Marvelettes, Dies at 78" . The New York Times .
