Michigan to host child who worried heart procedure would turn him against Ohio State

By foxsports
Published

A doctor at the University of Michigan fulfilled two promises to a Toledo boy earlier this year. 

He fixed a problem with Ivan Applin's heart and did not interfere with the boy's love for Ohio State.  

When the youngster expressed the latter concern earlier this year, his story went viral, and the university was happy to announce this week all went well. 

Just ask Ivan. 

“I was really nervous but they told me ‘no we won’t change you into a Michigan fan,’” Ivan recalls about the August procedure with Mott pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ronald Grifka. “They didn’t. I still love Ohio State.”

Per UM, the boy made a full recovery in time to play soccer this fall, and he will be in attendance for the 112th edition of The Game on Saturday in Ann Arbor -- courtesy of four tickets that were a gift from the University of Michigan Health System for his 11th birthday. 

“We were definitely surprised by how fast Ivan’s story traveled and all of the places it ended up,” Ivan's mother, Jennifer, told the UofMHealthBlog. “It was really fun to see fans from both sides of the rivalry share positive comments about Ivan. So many Michigan fans said they would never root for a Buckeye except for this one." 

The family is excited to experience the rivalry in person on Saturday. 

"We love Ohio State but certainly have a soft spot for Michigan, where Ivan was so well taken care of," Ms. Applin said.