CFP National Championship Rally: It really happened, didn't it

Michigan just finished 15-0 and won college football's national championship. I can die now.

It didn't fully hit me in Houston. Still hadn't on the flight home. But as I sat on the floor of Crisler Arena, surrounded by players, coaches, trainers, alumni, donors and fans both young and old, all wearing CFP national title swag, reality finally sunk in.

They came. They saw. They lost their head coach for half a season. They lost their best offensive lineman to an horrific tibia fracture. They captured.

And on Saturday night, they celebrated.

Harbaugh. Manuel. Ono. A star-studded cast of former players local politicians. An impressive row of trophies arranged in an arc that bordered the front of the stage. And the team that made it happen. JJ McCarthy. Zak Zinter. Blake Corum. Mike Sanristil. Kris Jenkins. AJ Barner. LaDarius Henderson. Roman Wilson. Michael Barrett. Junior Colson. Trevor Keegan. The leaders, and now, the best.

Here are some of my favorite images from a once-in-a-lifetime (or once in a quarter centure, to be exact) event.

. An electric night for the Wolverine faithful.

Harbaugh, Manuel, Zinter and McCarthy. Mount Rushmore of the 2023 Wolverines.

. Blake Corum flashes a smile.

US Rep. Lisa McClain rocks a JJ jersey for her post-title pep talk.

. Even injured, Zak Zinter played a key role in the title run.

Mike Sanristil doing an impression of one of his 6 interceptions during the 2023 season.

. Coach Harbaugh heaps praise on his men.

Sanristil carefully places the crystal football back onto the AFCA Coaches Poll national title trophy.

. These pics aren't as candid as I hoped they'd be. Just ask Kris Jenkins.

The athletic director speaks.

. Michael Barrett spots me snapping him.

Sanristil in his Cartier Buffs.

. Donovan Edwards, in the first row to my left, enjoys it all.

JJ McCarthy riles the crowd by saying he was unsure whether he'd return in 2014. He was sure. He won't.

. An electric atmosphere for celebrating a title.

Harbaugh takes it all in. Perhaps for the last time.

. The message echoed by electronic outdoor boards all over town.

After celebrating the past, I ran into the future: incoming freshman QB Jaydn Davis.