On their 70th anniversary, Terry Brennan and the 1947 National Championship football team celebrated.
Terry Brennan walked back out on the football field once more at the North Carolina State game to receive the 70th anniversary honors on behalf of the 1947 Notre Dame national championship football team. The crowd roared its approval. The scrappy Irishman is 90 years young now, and still epitomizes the spirit of the Fighting Irish. Incredibly, he started all four years at halfback for the team. In '47 he led the team in yardage gained from rushing and pass reception, and brought the Notre Dame stadium to a near frenzy with a 97-yard kickoff return during the Army game.
The greatness of the 1947 team cannot be understated. Two million battle hardened soldiers had just returned from WWII on the GI Bill, flooding campuses across the country. It was like every college team in the country had unlimited scholarships, with the government picking up the tab. The talent was often 14 deep for every position. And the returning soldiers were more mature and toughened by their wartime experience. Some had played on championship teams before getting drafted. Some had also played ball on the semi-pro military teams during their years in the service, but still had 2 more years of eligibility left. Clearly, this was the most unique and competitive era in college football history. Notre Dame made history by dominating in this era, winning back to back national championships and sending an astonishing 42 players to the pros from these ’46 and ‘47 teams.
Terry, who started at halfback in 1945 at the tender age of 17, had to overcome significant challenges to hang onto his starting position when the veterans returned. Then he, along with his teammates, had to survive the excruciating workouts of coach Frank Leahy. Leahy was so deep in talent, that he could afford to increase the physicality of the scrimmages and work outs in preparation for the games. If an injury happened, there were plenty of talented players that could fill-in. LIFE magazine, in a feature article on the 1947 team, referred to Notre Dame as having “Seven 1st teams” on the squad. The team featured 10 All Americans, 2 future Heisman and 2 future Outland trophy winners. An amazing seven players from this team were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The list of folks on record arguing the 1947 team ought to be considered the greatest college football team ever fielded include The Boston Herald, as well as legendary sports writers Grantland Rice, Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman, and Joe Doyle. Terry Brennan and the 1947 team are the subject of a recently released documentary, The Greatest Team: Notre Dame’s unrivaled 1946-47 football squads. More info on this team and the documentary at GreatestTeam.com
Terry Brennan went on to become head coach of the Notre Dame football team for 4 years after Frank Leahy retired.
Terry Brennan walked back out on the football field once more at the North Carolina State game to receive the 70th anniversary honors on behalf of the 1947 Notre Dame national championship football team. The crowd roared its approval. The scrappy Irishman is 90 years young now, and still epitomizes the spirit of the Fighting Irish. Incredibly, he started all four years at halfback for the team. In '47 he led the team in yardage gained from rushing and pass reception, and brought the Notre Dame stadium to a near frenzy with a 97-yard kickoff return during the Army game.
The greatness of the 1947 team cannot be understated. Two million battle hardened soldiers had just returned from WWII on the GI Bill, flooding campuses across the country. It was like every college team in the country had unlimited scholarships, with the government picking up the tab. The talent was often 14 deep for every position. And the returning soldiers were more mature and toughened by their wartime experience. Some had played on championship teams before getting drafted. Some had also played ball on the semi-pro military teams during their years in the service, but still had 2 more years of eligibility left. Clearly, this was the most unique and competitive era in college football history. Notre Dame made history by dominating in this era, winning back to back national championships and sending an astonishing 42 players to the pros from these ’46 and ‘47 teams.
Terry, who started at halfback in 1945 at the tender age of 17, had to overcome significant challenges to hang onto his starting position when the veterans returned. Then he, along with his teammates, had to survive the excruciating workouts of coach Frank Leahy. Leahy was so deep in talent, that he could afford to increase the physicality of the scrimmages and work outs in preparation for the games. If an injury happened, there were plenty of talented players that could fill-in. LIFE magazine, in a feature article on the 1947 team, referred to Notre Dame as having “Seven 1st teams” on the squad. The team featured 10 All Americans, 2 future Heisman and 2 future Outland trophy winners. An amazing seven players from this team were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The list of folks on record arguing the 1947 team ought to be considered the greatest college football team ever fielded include The Boston Herald, as well as legendary sports writers Grantland Rice, Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman, and Joe Doyle. Terry Brennan and the 1947 team are the subject of a recently released documentary, The Greatest Team: Notre Dame’s unrivaled 1946-47 football squads. More info on this team and the documentary at GreatestTeam.com
Terry Brennan went on to become head coach of the Notre Dame football team for 4 years after Frank Leahy retired.
