The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame recently honored the legacy of Detroit sports fan Andy Isaac with a posthumous award during its 2025 induction ceremony.
Isaac, who lost his life in March after a nearly two-decade struggle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, received the Courage Award. This distinction serves to celebrate individuals who exemplify resilience and serve as role models for athletes. He marked a significant moment as the first recipient of this award since 2013, with his family graciously accepting it on his behalf during the ceremony.
Though the name Andy Isaac might not ring a bell for all sports enthusiasts, his presence on social media created a significant following. Through his account @WorldofIsaac on X, Isaac shared updates about his health challenges alongside insightful commentary on Detroit’s sports scene.
“Isaac became recognized worldwide for his joyful and humorous posts about Detroit sports, even amid his ongoing battle with cancer. His perspectives and story resonated with teams, coaches, and fellow athletes alike,” noted the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Am important message from the San Diego Bay#FTB pic.twitter.com/ZulQ2DmPzy
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) December 10, 2023
One of his memorable phrases, “F—- the Bears,” became a signature mantra during matchups against the NFC North rivals. He generously extended his humor to the Packers whenever the situation called for it.
Isaac’s interests went beyond the NFL and NBA; he developed a “#Faturday” brand, proclaiming himself the Sausage King of Detroit. His passion for food was just as contagious as his love for sports, as he explored culinary delights throughout the Detroit area.
Regrettably, on February 18, Isaac shared that he had entered hospice care. His heartfelt message on X expressed the gravity of his situation and marked a moment of vulnerability as he faced his health challenges.
“I have composed so many messages on social media,” Isaac reflected on February 18. “For myself, for work, for entertainment, for food, for cancer, for Faturday, for sports, for the Lions, and for the Pistons, and for the Tigers and MSU and so on and so on. I don’t know when my first tweet or post was, but I can tell you, sadly, this is probably one of my last. Having cancer since 2006 has finally taken a toll on me; it has stripped me of quality of life. I have decided on hospice care.
“Life has been a struggle these last few months and years. I hope I can find some peace in hospice. I may keep a journal of my final days. I’m not sure yet. I’m tired and in pain. I have a horrible foot infection that is preventing me from walking, and I just don’t have the strength to do the last-minute things I want. But I’ll try. I hope I gave you all a positive outlook on life. I hope my impact is felt, even in small ways. Be kind to each other. I love you all. Truly, I do.”
Thank you #Detroit, thank you. pic.twitter.com/gdK33bfnVy
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) February 22, 2025
Isaac’s account continued to engage his followers even after his poignant message. On February 22, he returned to express his gratitude to Detroit sports teams that featured his #Faturday messages on their video boards. Sadly, his family announced on March 6 that he passed away peacefully.
