A small group of young athletes organized a rally in front of the Michigan Capitol building on Saturday, and it quickly evolved into a big protest with thousands of demonstrators. Some held signs urging Governor Gretchen Whitmer to let students play their winter high school sports season. Due to COVID-19, Whitmer issued an order that bans contact sports until Feb. 21. The protestors are hoping to raise public awareness about the order. Former NFL player Andre Rison spoke out in support of their efforts. “I played basketball, football, I ran track,” Rison said through a video message. “I know how much sports means to our communities across the state of Michigan, and I know how much it means in a household, especially during these times. Sports can change a lot of things for the better.” “It’s very important to me,” Ethan Dunn, a basketball player told Lansing State Journal. “It’s very painful …