NFL alumni often can have differing opinions.
For example, there are those who love Notre Dame, those who root against The Fighting Irish every game, and those who are indifferent.
Notre Dame plays Penn State tomorrow night in a College Football Playoff semifinal. There will be a small–but select–group of our alumni who will have a special rooting interest for the Irish because their sons are Notre Dame football players.
Those NFL alumni are:
- RYAN CLARK (Giants, Redskins, Steelers; 2002-13) who is father of Notre Dame S Jordan Clark
- HOWARD CROSS (Giants; 1989-2001)—DL Howard Cross III
- JIM FLANIGAN (Bears, Packers, 49ers, Eagles; 1994-2003)—T James Flanigan
- DARRYL MORRISON (Redskins; 1993-96)—CB Benjamin Morrison
- ROMAN OBEN (Giants, Browns, Bucs, Chargers; 1996-2007)—DL RJ Oben
- MARC SPINDLER (Lions,Bucs,Jets;1990-98)—OL Rocco Spindler
- BRIAN URLACHER (Bears;2000-12)—S Kennedy Urlacher
- BRYANT YOUNG (49ers;1994-2007)—DL Bryce Young
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, a fifth-round pick of the Bears in the 2009 Draft, appreciates the attitude of NFL alumni-fathers.
“I probably have a different relationship with the fathers who played in the NFL,” Freeman recently told the South Bend Tribune. “They played the game, they get it. NFL fathers probably see it through the lens of team glory…and not individual glory. It’s not ‘What is my son doing? How can he be better? Why isn’t he playing more?’. They text us after the good wins as well as losses. They understand.”
Freeman says it is not an accident that so many of you want your sons to play in South Bend.
“It speaks to the way we’ve recruited,” Freeman says. “It speaks to the university and the value some of the NFL players see in Notre Dame in terms of the football program, but also the education. It’s a great testament to this school.”
Yes, there is another team on the field tomorrow night for the playoff and Penn State also has NFL fathers. Patriots alum Todd Rucci (1993-2000) played at Penn State and his son Nolan is an offensive lineman on this year’s team. Also, Pete Gonzalez, who had a quarterback career with the Steelers in the late ‘90s, is the proud father of son Peter, a receiver for the Nittany Lions.
Congratulations to all you alumni members whose sons are playing –or have played– our great sport on any level. We are proud of all of you.
