How so many folks who call themselves fans of Notre Dame can turn on this 2020 team and coaching staff so quickly. I assume most are not alumni, or are simply the definition of fair weather fans. As an alum, class of 93, so I get the whole “I lived thru the glory days,” I could not be more proud of this team. And, think they absolutely are a top 4 team, as Coach Kelly said “without question.”
What this team and staff had to go through this year and season, and for the players to balance an accelerated and virtual class schedule at ND should be nothing but praised by anyone calling themselves a fan. I wanted them to win as much as the next guy, and was as thoroughly disappointed in the performance last night as anyone, but how can you turn on these guys now? Not after the full season they had and the sacrifices they made, personally, athletically, academically, physically and spiritually.
I have a son who finished up two degrees at Virginia Tech this year and had both graduations canceled. I have a daughter who graduated from high school in the spring and had her prom, graduation and most everything from her final year of high school canceled; to then go through a freshman year at William & Mary devoid almost any social interaction. I think we have too many fans who do not get that these players and coaches have managed a season unlike any other, and represented Our Lady in a way that should be applauded regardless the outcome of this game. We have 18 - 22 year olds who have lived in an unrecognizable world for nearly a year, with so much taken away from them, and they have continued to conduct themselves in a way well beyond their years, and balanced a schedule that many of us will ever be able to fully appreciate. Anyone on here who has kids in this age bracket knows exactly the toll this year has taken on this age group.
And please don’t give me any garbage about ND needs to lessen standards or have players focus more on football. As an alum, this is the last thing I want to see ND become. I would never trade football wins and championships for players who are not real ND students or coaches who do not represent the true mission of ND. Football may be the first thing folks think about when they learn I am an ND alum, but I will forever be more proud that my alma mater is a top university that plays football, not a football team simply named after a university.
What this team and staff had to go through this year and season, and for the players to balance an accelerated and virtual class schedule at ND should be nothing but praised by anyone calling themselves a fan. I wanted them to win as much as the next guy, and was as thoroughly disappointed in the performance last night as anyone, but how can you turn on these guys now? Not after the full season they had and the sacrifices they made, personally, athletically, academically, physically and spiritually.
I have a son who finished up two degrees at Virginia Tech this year and had both graduations canceled. I have a daughter who graduated from high school in the spring and had her prom, graduation and most everything from her final year of high school canceled; to then go through a freshman year at William & Mary devoid almost any social interaction. I think we have too many fans who do not get that these players and coaches have managed a season unlike any other, and represented Our Lady in a way that should be applauded regardless the outcome of this game. We have 18 - 22 year olds who have lived in an unrecognizable world for nearly a year, with so much taken away from them, and they have continued to conduct themselves in a way well beyond their years, and balanced a schedule that many of us will ever be able to fully appreciate. Anyone on here who has kids in this age bracket knows exactly the toll this year has taken on this age group.
And please don’t give me any garbage about ND needs to lessen standards or have players focus more on football. As an alum, this is the last thing I want to see ND become. I would never trade football wins and championships for players who are not real ND students or coaches who do not represent the true mission of ND. Football may be the first thing folks think about when they learn I am an ND alum, but I will forever be more proud that my alma mater is a top university that plays football, not a football team simply named after a university.
