I Detest Notre Dame Football

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Since 1988, every major sport both at the college and professional level has seen a return to glory of storied programs and franchises.  The New York Yankees and Boston Redsox in MLB; The UCLA Bruins, Kentucky Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks in NCAA Basketball; the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics in NBA Basketball; the USC Trojans, Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan Wolverines, and Ohio State Buckeyes in NCAA Football; The Pittsburgh Stealer, Dallas Cowboys San Francisco 49’rs, and New York Football Giants in the NFL; the Detroit Redwings and New York Rangers in the NHL…        

Notre Dame almost has.  On Saturday in South Bend, the USC Trojans almost made too many mistakes.  They almost let a big lead get too their heads.  Jimmy Clausen almost hit Golden Tate before USC won the game the first time.  Clausen almost hit Duvall Kumara before USC won the game the second time.  The Notre Dame fans almost had a chance to rush the field.  The Notre Dame coach almost had his signature win.  Notre Dame almost won!

Almost made you happy, baby
Didn't I didn't I
You almost had me thinkin'
You were turned around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn't count

-      Brandy Norwood

Those were the words R&B star Brandy sang on her second LP to an unknown lover.  In the case of Notre Dame fans…the words are a little more profound.  I know that many may wonder why an individual who despises Notre Dame is writing this article.  In order to understand this concept as well as the frustration and pain of Notre Dame fans; one must look at it from that angle...the angle of a Notre Dame fan. 

But everybody knows…(for Notre Dame Football)…almost doesn’t count!

-      Brandy (Shaka Barrett) Norwood

For those who don’t know I am a former Notre Dame fan…a diehard Notre Dame fan that spent 15 years scheduling my Saturday’s around Notre Dame Football.  I fell in love with the Gold helmets after watching Tony Rice lead the Irish to the 1988 National Title when they defeated Major Harris and the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Fiesta Bowl.  I loved everything about Notre Dame Football.  The Rocket almost winning the 1990 Orange Bowl versus Colorado.  The Miami/Notre Dame rivalry.  I cried when the Irish squandered the 1993 National Title after losing to Boston College; only a week removed from upsetting Charlie Ward and #1 Florida State in South Bend.  Notre Dame was almost national champions…they were almost back! 

Year in and year out I felt like Notre Dame would continue to fight back and regain their status as the elite program in College Football.  From 1994-2004, I spent countless fan time obsessing over what was missing.  Ron Pawlus’ four touchdown debut versus Northwestern in 1994 gave fans hope.  The 1997 Notre Dame/Navy game which almost ended the Irish win streak over the Midshipman before Allen Rossum knocked the Naval Academy’s Pat McGrew out of bounds in the final seconds.  Memory upon memory of close calls and high pre-season rankings resulting in another year without a national title.  My loyalty was as dependable as Derrick Mayes hands versus Florida State in the 1996 Orange Bowl.   I use to have a subscription to Blue & Gold Illustrated for almost four years (while I was in high school for which I used Christmas/birthday money to pay for).  I knew all of the recruits, the players, the depth charts, and the inside information about the goings-on’s under the Golden Dome.  I even saved the papers for several years after I could no longer afford to pay for the subscription.

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