Growing up as a Cubs fan in Orland Park, Jimmy Rolder always dreamed of playing in Wrigley Field and manning first base like his favorite player, Anthony Rizzo.
On Nov. 15, Rolder’s dream became reality — sort of.
However, instead of wearing the North Siders’ blue and red, the 2022 Marist graduate was donning the maize and blue of Michigan’s football team as a starting linebacker as the Wolverines edged Northwestern 24-22 on a walk-off field goal.
“It was a dream come true,” Rolder said. “I grew up dreaming of playing at Wrigley, but I didn’t think it was going to be for football. It was an unreal atmosphere and experience. It was just surreal.
“Playing at this historic field and playing against a good friend of mine and coming out of there with that close win, everything just came together. It was awesome.”
Not only for Rolder but also for his 20 to 30 family members and friends who made the ride from the southwest suburbs to the city’s North Side.
“They were able to come out and support me, so this was super cool for them to see, too,” Rolder said. “It was just overall an awesome experience.”
Adding to the memorable day was the opportunity for Rolder to take a postgame photo with Northwestern offensive lineman Deuce McGuire, a fellow Marist graduate and close friend.
“Deuce and I met at Marist and we’ve been really good friends since,” Rolder said. “It was super cool to play against him in an atmosphere and game like that. Being able to talk after a game like that was a cool moment. We were able to hang out a little bit and grab that picture. It was cool for the memories.”
Rolder has been creating his own memories on the field this season for Michigan, making his first career start at Oklahoma on Sept. 6. Through nine games, Rolder is second on the team in tackles with 54 (35 solos) to go along with 5 1/2 tackles for 27 yards in losses. He also has two sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception.
In fact, the redshirt junior has played so well that he is one of 12 finalists for the Dick Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football. He also was chosen the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for Oct. 27.
“It’s an honor to be nominated for that,” Rolder said. “This is my first year starting and this is a testament to the work that not only I have but our whole team has put in, the whole defense.
“I’m able to play freely because of the guys around me. When they’re doing their job, it’s opened up lanes and (created) plays for me to make. It’s a blessing to be in that position and to be playing as much as I have and to be able to make all those plays. It’s just been a lot of fun.”
● Findlay junior wide receiver Denny Furlong was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference’s Athlete of the Week for Oct. 27 for his efforts in a 27-20 win over Ohio Dominican.
The Mount Carmel graduate caught six passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Evergreen Park resident is the first Oiler to have four 100-yard receiving games in a season since 2019.