I am sure most of you here have seen a number of columns and stories posted lately about the effect Marcus Freeman has had on the public's perception of Notre Dame. To be sure, there are still many mindless "Notre Dame haters" out there--and there always will be--but he has given many people a new perspective on ND, and for many he has actually made Notre Dame "likable," whatever that means. I was shocked that even Paul Finebaum said on ESPN today that Marcus Freeman is the story of the year in college football.
I actually experienced this phenomenon myself while shopping this afternoon in Costco. Because I was wearing my "Notre Dame Alumni" pullover a middle-aged woman stopped me in one of the aisles and struck up a conversation with me. She told me she is a diehard Texas Aggies fan and has never liked ND before, and was heartbroken when we beat TAMU to open the season. That aside, she said she has really grown to like Marcus Freeman and has been pulling for ND in the CFB playoffs. She even said, "Both of my sons are grown up, but if I had one in high school, I would want him to play for Marcus Freeman." I thanked her for her kind words and said the Notre Dame nation feels the same way about Coach Freeman.
Will we next see pigs fly?
I know many here could not care less about being "likable;" in fact, I suppose there are more than a few here who enjoy holding the "us against the world" position, but this is a phenomenon I am not quite sure I ever thought I would see. I suppose if CMF is able to win a couple of NCs with the Irish, the days of being despised as the Evil Empire will return quickly enough.
I actually experienced this phenomenon myself while shopping this afternoon in Costco. Because I was wearing my "Notre Dame Alumni" pullover a middle-aged woman stopped me in one of the aisles and struck up a conversation with me. She told me she is a diehard Texas Aggies fan and has never liked ND before, and was heartbroken when we beat TAMU to open the season. That aside, she said she has really grown to like Marcus Freeman and has been pulling for ND in the CFB playoffs. She even said, "Both of my sons are grown up, but if I had one in high school, I would want him to play for Marcus Freeman." I thanked her for her kind words and said the Notre Dame nation feels the same way about Coach Freeman.
Will we next see pigs fly?
I know many here could not care less about being "likable;" in fact, I suppose there are more than a few here who enjoy holding the "us against the world" position, but this is a phenomenon I am not quite sure I ever thought I would see. I suppose if CMF is able to win a couple of NCs with the Irish, the days of being despised as the Evil Empire will return quickly enough.
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