Blair Kiel: Remembering Legacy That Paved Way for Nephew Gunner at Notre Dame

Highly-touted QB Gunner Kiel is set to begin a career at Notre Dame that will further the Kiel legacy his uncle Blair started in 1980. 

There is now a tremendous amount of symmetry to this process. Blair has just passed away at the age of 50. 

The Associated Press, via the USA Today, reported on the details:

"

Bartholmew County Coroner Allen Smith said Kiel died at Columbus Regional Hospital. Smith said an autopsy has been performed and that he's waiting on toxicology results and tissue samples to determine the cause of death.

"

From 1980 to 1983, Blair was the Irish's starting QB and punter.

In his college career, he completed 297-of-609 passes for 3,650 yards with 17 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. Kiel earned the starting job just four games into his freshman season. He was undefeated in his first five starts to improve their record to 9-0-1 and a No. 1 ranking. They lost their last two of that season. 

He graduated as the Irish's sixth all-time leading passer and also currently holds a passing record that any Notre Dame QB will have a hard time beating. He connected with Joe Howard for a 96-yard TD against Georgia Tech in 1981. 

Kiel also had a foot to go with his arm. He punted 260 times for the Irish with an average of 40.7 yards

Now, his nephew Blair is set to carry on this legacy. There is little doubt that honoring his uncle will weigh heavily on Gunner's mind. 

In an article discussing why Gunner picked Notre Dame after verbally committing to LSU, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd offered up this insight on Kiel from LSU quarterbacks coach Steve Kragthorpe:

"

Gunner's a great kid. He comes from a very, very close-knit family. When it really comes down to it and time to get on the plane, he couldn't do it. We knew that was part of the recruiting process. I talked about it with him very candidly.

"

Sadly, this tight-knit family lost a member way too early on Monday, but they have Gunner to help carry on the legacy that Blair started.