This episode delves into the illustrious legacy of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, underscoring three remarkable narratives that exemplify the enduring spirit and historical significance of this esteemed college football program. We commence with the story of John Philip "Clipper" Smith, a diminutive yet formidable player who, under the guidance of the legendary Knute Rockne, became a pivotal force during the 1925-1927 seasons, eventually earning a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Next, we explore the inspiring journey of John Carney, a walk-on who transcended expectations to become Notre Dame's all-time leader in field goals before embarking on a storied 23-year career in the NFL, marked by a Super Bowl championship and remarkable scoring achievements. Finally, we reflect on Knute Rockne's early professional endeavors, revealing his significant contributions to the evolution of the game and the genesis of the modern NFL. Through these narratives, we illuminate the profound impact of these individuals on both Notre Dame and the broader landscape of American football.

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The discussion initiates with an exploration of the significant legacy and prominence associated with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a revered college football team. The podcast delves into three distinct stories that exemplify the richness of Notre Dame's football history, each centered around legendary figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the team's identity. We commence with John Philip 'Clipper' Smith, a diminutive yet tenacious player who, despite his size, made an indelible impact on the field during the 1925 season under the coaching guidance of Knute Rockne. Smith's remarkable agility and technical skill earned him the respect of his peers and a place in the College Football Hall of Fame, demonstrating that greatness can manifest in various forms, irrespective of physical stature. Transitioning through time, we uncover the narrative of John Carney, a walk-on kicker who ascended to prominence during the 1980s. Carney's journey from an unheralded athlete to Notre Dame's all-time leading scorer encapsulates the essence of perseverance and determination. His collegiate career culminated in a dramatic game-winning field goal against USC, a moment that not only solidified his status as a key player but also served as a catalyst for his successful transition into a 23-year NFL career. Carney's legacy extends beyond mere statistics; he symbolizes the potential for triumph against adversity, resonating with aspiring athletes and fans alike. Finally, we reflect on the early days of Knute Rockne, a figure whose influence transcended college football, as he navigated the tumultuous landscape of professional football in the 1910s. Before Rockne became a legendary coach at Notre Dame, he participated in the Ohio League, where he honed his skills as a player and coach. This period not only contributed to his development but also laid the groundwork for the evolution of modern football strategies, particularly the forward pass. Rockne's dual role as a college coach and advisor to professional teams illustrates the blurred lines between amateur and professional football during that era. Through these narratives, we gain insight into the multifaceted nature of Notre Dame's football legacy, celebrating both its storied past and the enduring spirit of its players.

Hello, my football friends.

This is Darren Hayes of pigskindispatch.com welcome once again to the Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history.

And we have something special in store for you today.

We have three fantastic stories that all tie to one of my favorite college football teams, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

What legacy and prominence that has, you know, the Fighting Irish football fans have, you know, we've talked a lot about them lately.

You know, we've been made some new friends and got some great information, and we're going to talk about three different eras of Notre Dame football history and three different legends that all sort of connect together to make the Fighting Irish so special.

So the first one is kind of an interesting one that we're going to go back in time over 100 years to talk about this legendary player that possibly you've never heard of.

He was facing that monumental task of replacing the Seven Mules and the Four Horsemen to graduation.

Now, he earned his famous nickname because he operated in the trenches with remarkable smoothness and agility, just like a 19th century clipper ship.

When you want to talk about truly amazing football stories and one that's associated with Notre Dame, well, you got to talk about the Walk on who earned some really promise and some really great legacy as a Notre Dame kicker and as an NFL player.

It didn't take long for him to prove his worth.

Now by the time he graduated, Carney was Notre Dame's all time leader in field goals, successfully converting 51 of 69 attempts for a 73.9% average.

He finished his collegiate career ranked second in the school's all time scoring list with 223 total points.

Now his stellar performance in South Bend earned him a spot on a Sports Illustrated all time Notre Dame team.

He was a Super Bowl 44 champion with the New Orleans Saints and a two time Pro Bowler.

Now every great Notre Dame legend that has that moment and one game etched forever in allure as the greatest rivalry in college football.

It was Lou Holtz's first year at the helm of the Fighting Irish and that season had been a grueling, character building campaign.

Notre Dame had entered into the regular season finale against the formidable USC Trojans, teams desperate to finish the year on a high note.

For three quarters things looked bleak.

It felt like another frustrating what if in a transition year.

But Lou Holtz's squad refused to pack it in.

Much like their coach, they were powered by a furious, desperate rally.

The Irish offense marched up and down the field scoring 17 unanswered points.

With only seconds remaining on the clock, the Irish found themselves down 37, 35, staring at the USC two yard line.

It all came down to one final play, a 19 yard field goal attempt by Carney.

The pressure inside the Coliseum was suffocating for a kicker.

A 19 yarder was supposed to be a chip shot, but the weight of the Notre Dame USC rivalry, the screaming capacity crowd and the finality of the clock made that crossbar look miles away.

Make the pressure even worse.

It was to be the final absolute kick of John Carney's collegiate career.

The snap was true, the hole was clean and Carney swung his leg with the fluid soccer style precision he had perfected since his high school days in Florida.

And the ball sailed dead center through the uprights as time expired.

Notre Dame 38, USC 37.

The Irish legacy continues and the luck of the Irish goes on a kicker's foot named John Carney.

The Irish bench erupted, storming the field to mob their kicker.

What a way to earn and birth into the NFL and to finish your college career.

You know, beating a rival in such a big game and having that as your last play of the game to make a big comeback win.

A big signature win for Lou Holtz in his early career.

But we have another coach, maybe he's a little bit even more famous at Notre Dame than Lou Holtz.

And we have a story about Knute Rockne before he was a coach in Notre Dame.

I think you're going to enjoy this one.

Mention the name Knute Rockne and your mind immediately travels to South Bend, Indiana.

You think of the Fighting Irish, three national championships and the iconic win one for the Gipper speech.

Now he is without question the holy.

Grail of college football history.

But what if I told you that.

Before Rockne built his empire at Notre Dame, he was a mercenary for hire on the bloody, mud soaked fields of early professional football.

Long before the NFL was even a concept, the epicenter of football wasn't the college campuses, it was the Ohio League.

Towns like Canton, Akron and Massillon treated football like warfare.

And the teams were filled with rugged men who played for cold, hard cash.

So he signed up to play end and halfback for quarterback George Peggy Perrott and the Akron Indians.

Rockne was short, balding and didn't look like much, but he possessed a secret weapon, a weapon that he and his college teammate Gus Dure had spent summers perfecting the Forward Pass.

In an era where pro football was strictly three yards and a cloud of dust, Rockne and Duray revolutionized the pro game.

They unleashed the lethal aerial assault that caught the Ohio League completely off guard, leading the Tigers to a championship that very same year in a two loss season.

But Rockne just wasn't catching passes in Massillon.

He was helping drop the plays.

He was quietly cutting his teeth as a professional coach, learning how to manage egos and build winning cultures long before he took over the varsity squad at Notre Dame.

But his ties to the pro game didn't just vanish.

Right there in a chaotic inaugural season was a team called the Chicago Tigers.

The lines between college amateurism and pro sports weren't just blurred, they were practically non existent.

Even the legendary Green Bay packers founder Curly Lambeau was one of Rocky's student and players at Notre Dame.

Rocky's DNA was baked directly into the foundation of the modern NFL.

Knute Rockte wasn't just a college legend, he was a professional pioneer.

Well there you have it.

Three amazing Notre Dame Fighting Irish legends all wrapped up in a bow with some interesting stories, great legacy and hope that filled your football brain with some great stuff today.

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