Michigan-Notre Dame: Being an Irish Catholic From Michigan

This article is a reply to the comment thread in this article. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/197966-michigans-road-to-redemption-week-two-notre-dame

When I was young, the first college football game I ever saw was Michigan vs. Notre Dame. That used to be the game that would kick off the college football season. I was intrigued by both teams. The gold dome helmets were love at first sight, but I also loved the maize and blue.

Over the years, I would look forward to this game to start the year. The rest of the year I would follow both the Irish and the Wolverines. I was from Michigan but I was also an Irish Catholic. So who would I root for? I never could pick a side. There was just so much I loved about both schools. Mostly it was the traditions.

For Michigan, there is nothing like a team running out under the "Go Blue!" sign. I love how the no. 1 jersey gets passed on from one generation to the next. Mostly I just loved the smash you in the mouth style of running it down your throat.

For Notre Dame, the "Play Like a Champion Today" sign just can't be replaced. To me that means win or lose you leave it on the field and play like a champion. I also loved Touchdown Jesus.

The more I learned about both programs the more I loved. Nobody can deny the traditions of Michigan and Notre Dame. They are two of the most storied and winniest programs in college football. I really like the fact that neither side is infamous for running a dirty program and players getting arrested. Notre Dame will never lower it's standards.

All of this made it impossible for me to ever pick a side. Then I looked into the history of the rivalry. It was started when the Michigan team went to South Bend and taught the game to Notre Dame. Therefore it was intended to be a friendly rivalry and not one filled with hatred.

I understand that stuff happened behind the scenes to keep Notre Dame out of the Big Ten, but that doesn't change the original intent of the rivalry. Notre Dame and Navy is a rivalry that is still not about hatred. Michigan kind of has a city rivalry with Eastern Michigan but that is also not hate filled.

Then I looked at the schedule setup and it made more sense to root for both as opposed to just one. They play each other so early in the year. The winner is set up to make a run at a national championship. However, the other team can still have a great year and if they did it makes the early season victory look even better.

Based on all that, I am proud to say that I will continue to root for the Irish and the Wolverines. In that comment thread, both Michigan and Notre Dame fans questioned whether I was a true fan of either team. I don't feel I have to justify my rooting interests. I can love them both.

Think about it like this. If you have two sons and they play for different teams, would you cheer for one or the other? For anybody who says I am not a true fan of one of them, I say I am a true fan of both of them because I refuse to throw either under the bus for the other.