Irish Eyes Are Crying

I am from the south. I am an SEC guy. I went to UGA and I bleed Red and Black. But, perhaps, no other football team moves me as much as Notre Dame.

There is simply something about the Fighting Irish I can't explain. People down here in Georgia ask me why I love the Irish. They simply see a perennially over-rated football team from the North. Honestly, there is nothing I could ever say to these people in order to help them understand -- their blind dislike is as strong as my blind love.

I love the Irish. No matter if they go 10-0 or 0-10, I will always love the boys up in South Bend. There is magic in that place. The history, the tradition, the culture, the religion -- it all moves me to tears.

Two years ago some friends and I took a road-trip to Notre Dame. We sat in the church on campus as the priest performed the mass before the game. We were able to watch the game on the field level. We were able to feel the magic of the Golden Dome and hear the echoes.

Notre Dame was 0-4 then, but I loved them just as much as if they were 4-0. They won that game, against Pittsburgh, and my Bulldogs ended up winning there own against Tennessee.

Still, even last year when I went to all but 3 of the 13 Georgia games, including the SEC Championship and the Sugar Bowl, no sporting event can ever match my experience at Notre Dame.

Tonight I saw an ESPN show called "The Season" in which they chronicle the Notre Dame football season. Tonight I cried when I saw highlights from a game who's score I already knew. I cried when I saw those guys playing their hardest. I cried when they came up short. And I smiled afterwards as I realized that it didn't matter if they won or lost -- it only mattered that they played hard.

I can;t explain it -- but when Notre Dame is concerned, I am brought to tears.

posted by Pacer 10/30/2003