An at-home atmosphere on the road for Notre Dame football
The 692 miles separating South Bend, Indiana from East Rutherford, New Jersey proved to be a small foe for the band of Notre Dame football faithful who poured into MetLife Stadium this past Saturday. In anticipation of the eighth-ever meeting between Notre Dame football and the Naval Academy Midshipmen, fans coated the sum-82,500 seats with Irish green and gold.
Since legendary head coach Knute Rocke set out to different parts of the country with the vision of making the Irish a national brand, Notre Dame football has gained the appreciation and fandom of millions not just across America, but the globe.
From the 1913 season when the team traveled over 5,200 miles to play each of its four games on the road, to 1928 when Rockne led the Irish to compete against Army at Yankee Stadium in New York, all the way to the 20th century when Notre Dame football began competing in Ireland, Rockne’s mission has far been exceeded: the Irish are a worldwide brand.
The pride of Notre Dame football
The pride of Notre Dame football was on full display over the weekend when the Fighting Irish took on Navy in the Garden State. Chants of “lets go Irish” rang through the isles as sunlight beamed off the gold helmets that have been the staple of Notre Dame football since its origin.
As head coach Marcus Freeman led the Irish out of its tunnel, fans combined for what could most accurately be described as a deafening crash of admiration of its team. “Play like a champion today” inscriptions decorated the back plates of the Irish players, allowing the climate of the program’s tradition to completely overtake the stadium.
Once the ball was kicked off, it seemed that those in attendance stood back in South Bend. The stadium’s exterior was no longer steel gray rods, but golden brick. Its end zones presented 18 white lines angled 42° in the direction of The Golden Dome, not checkered Navy colors. Touchdown Jesus overlooked the playing field in place of the skyline of New York City. Everything was right again.
As the Irish made play after play, the pop of the crowd picked up volume. After each catch, there was a roar. Following each turnover, the Leprechaun jumped a little higher.
Even the push-up ritual of Notre Dame football’s student section had made its way into MetLife Stadium, as fans began pushing those around them to the sky after each score. It is safe to say that after the 51-14 routing, those fans had gotten their workout.
A cloud of Notre Dame tradition had hovered over New Jersey, encapsulating the distinct presence that is Irish football. It was great, even if just for a day.
The beauty of being a part of Irish football lies in the standard of the university. Quite honestly, it is the Irish against all else. It is quite simple honestly. Former Notre Dame football head coach Lou Holtz sums it up perfectly: “we’re Notre Dame and they ain’t.”