Becoming Legends

Today's Blog is offered by Social Foundations of Coaching student, Meghan Talpash.

This Saturday, November 17^th was Senior Day for the Fighting Irish. It was the day where we as Notre Dame had to say goodbye to many great players. Senior Day is a very emotional day because it is the last day of football for many of the players. It is the last time they will play on their home field; hit the ‘Play Like A Champion, Today” sign, run on to the field with their beloved teammates, and have a rowdy student section cheering them on.

It is hard to stay focused during a game when emotions are taking over. Players had to choke back every emotion as they put on that jersey and ran to their parents on the field for their last time. They knew they had to concentrate everything on winning the game, and they did.

This senior class has been full of surprises from having a rough three previous years, to being referred to as ‘irrelevant’ early in the season by Rick Reilly, to currently being ranked number one in BCS standings. What has happened this year in the stadium in which Rockne built has been unforgettable and with a team that will be remember forever in the history of Notre Dame Football.

Many players are dealing with uncertainty for the future, and are dreading saying goodbye to the sport and the University they have fallen in love with. These seniors have given it all they got, and have proven so by having an undefeated season which has not happened since 1993. These seniors are leaving a legacy, and they will never be forgotten for all their hard work and dedication. As Manti Te’o said himself, “when you're a champion at other schools you're a champion. When you're a champion at Notre Dame, you become a legend.”      

Notre Dame is special, it is a family. It is a place that will always be home. As these seniors, go on to greater things, they will always have a place to call home here a Notre Dame.