{
  "id": 14978728,
  "title": "MSU AD unbothered by coach's middle finger: 'We're not choir children'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/msu-ad-unbothered-by-coachs-middle-finger-were-not-choir-children",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T15:17:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/msu-ad-unbothered-coachs-middle-151701847.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michigan State athletic director Dan Bartholomae expressed no concern over head coach Pat Fitzgerald's middle finger gesture during a recent loss to Illinois. Bartholomae, who was on the sidelines for the game, emphasized that the university is not aiming to be \"choir children\" and welcomed Fitzgerald's passion and enthusiasm. The athletic director was pleased with how Fitzgerald handled the situation during the post-game press conference, stating that he did not anticipate Fitzgerald repeating the gesture. Despite the controversial ruling leading to Michigan State's loss, Bartholomae praised Fitzgerald's decision to go for the win in overtime. Michigan State will face Northwestern, Fitzgerald's former team, on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.",
  "summary": "During last week's loss to Illinois at Spartan Stadium, football coach Pat Fitzgerald flipped off officials after a questionable call.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}