Thousands joined student-athletes demonstrating in front of the Michigan Capitol building to urge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to allow students to play winter sports.

"Sports are a lot bigger than just playing," said Brendan Young, a senior basketball player who attended the demonstration. "It's what we all grew up playing and we have all these friendships that we've built through sports and especially being my senior year, I want one last chance to play with my friends and the guys I've been growing up with my whole life. I'm sure all these kids feel the same way."