From the Archives: 'Pigs vs. Freaks' football game

Originally published Aug. 24, 2015

In the fall of 1970, someone called the East Lansing Police Department to report that trespassers who looked like "hippies" were on the playing field of a local high school. When the officer arrived, he asked the young men to leave the field. They refused.

During the ensuing conversations, the hippies or "freaks" challenged the "pigs" to a football game. The officer accepted the challenge.

On Nov. 7, 1970, police officers from surrounding agencies, the "Pigs," met the "Freaks" for a football game on that same field for the "Pigs vs. Freaks" game, also known as the "Bull Bowl." More than 7,000 fans watched as the Freaks won the game.

A camaraderie developed between the two groups, and the Bull Bowl was moved to Michigan State University's football stadium to accommodate the growing number of spectators, which eventually surpassed 40,000.

The games were played from 1970 to 1977 and raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Danny Thomas, television star and founder of St. Jude's hospital, even made a few personal appearances to say thanks.