I, on the Irish
Okay, maybe it was only my sister Kathleen that missed her baby brother’s blog, but I must admit: I kinda miss cranking it out. My short-lived, semi-professional football existence came to a crashing end (albeit one I’m rather thankful for) early this month. And that pretty much broke this blog’s back. So what could I possibly have left to say, dear reader? My sweet, voracious reader.
Well hear me out. Anyone who knows me knows of my love for Fighting Irish football. I’ll apologize to the haters up front. I realize I can’t throw a decent spiral, Notre Dame wasn’t accepting “C” students like me when I left high school, and I don’t even go to Mass anymore. Still I pray for the Irish on Saturdays, come close to weeping when they win tight games, and consider killing when they lose. Not anyone in particular, just myself or small squirrels.
So here I begin again. This will be my take on the Irish. For great facts, stats, funny stories, videos, and much more, check out these dudes at Blue-Gray Sky. It’s all the Notre Dame football stuff you’ll ever want, all year long. I met Jay, one of the founders, at a Purdue-ND tailgate and he’s a nice guy with a good thing going.
My story: I’m a bit of a naval gazer looking for a subject. When I say “I, on the Irish” I’m using the pronoun in the Bob Marley sense. As in, “Old pirates yes they rob I; Sold I to the merchant ships.” Could that be anymore offensive dropping from the fingers of a “C” student from the suburbs? But hereafter will be me—partly punny, semi-gonzo, or completely blotto—sharing stories with you, my tasty reader, of how I spent my Saturdays cheering on the Irish.
The season’s on the back nine (which would only make sense if I were writing about golf), so you shouldn’t have to bear with me too much longer. This past Saturday, I left a sleeper of a Wisconsin-Purdue game to catch the start of UCLA-Notre Dame. I went to a bar called Rowdy’s, which used to be a Burger King—named after the Purdue mascot (Rowdy, not Burger King) made of the same material as the giant penis that occasionally floats through the student section. There I found plenty o’costumed college kids, some of whom had been hitting the booze since breakfast. Not surprisingly, Purdue was losing on every television, 17-3. I didn’t like my chances of having even one channel turned, so I made a longer walk to the Levee and a bar called Scotty’s.
Long story short, because I’m already starting to bore myself with this one, I watched the Irish struggle against a gritty UCLA team. Brady Quinn was much sacked. The Irish defense looked from time-to-time capable of giving up the big play (which they did) and indifferent to tackling (though the defense played well overall). And as the game wore on, I’m thinking, “Wait, they could lose this.”
The bar grew red around me: Wisconsin fans. When my lady friend arrived, I’d whisper into her easily humored ear, “Badgers, we don’t need no stinking Badgers.” Not once did she laugh. Late in the game my buddy Dunn (who looks a little like the Fighting Irish mascot) called. I told him to get his lucky ass to the bar.
You saw the ending. It’s been in all the papers. The Irish, snubbed on a fourth and one, had to force a three and out from the Bruins, all while calling timeouts (which they kept) for any hope of a miracle. And it happened: 80 yards in about a half a minute in three big passes, the last of which was the Medicine Man Quinn pump faking, and then finding the Minor League pitcher Samardzija, who scampered to the end zone. I kissed the lady friend. Nearly tea-bagged Dunn (he ain’t all that tall). And did get a little misty-eyed. Later, on the replay on Westwood One, I heard Don Criqui’s voice cracking on the call. Half the world is weeping like wee little Irish men. The other half hates Notre Dame, so get bent. More next week when this naval gazer watches the Irish take on Navy.
Where’s that bar called “Rowdy.” That guy’s on myspace. I should go support that establishment!
Comment by Erin — October 25, 2006 @ 12:42 pm
Glad you decided to continue to blog and I’m sure I’m not the only one that missed them!! Of course, it would be even better to read about Purdue or even better… that other Lions team, St. Viator. But you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. (No disrespect intended toward Jack.)
That was another crazy finish for ND. Your tears and prayers must be working…send some our way as we head toward playoffs.
Comment by Kathleen — October 25, 2006 @ 10:43 pm
Glad to take the time to read your rant about the Irish, but answer these questions (a) Irish - but their colors are blue and gold? (b) Catholic school, but they need the Luck of a possible illegal alien? (c) When are they going to be stop being so pompus and start spelling their first name in a true midwestern way - Noter Dame?
Comment by Dave — October 27, 2006 @ 3:38 pm