Notre Dame Football 2009: A Mission Beyond Football

As college football fans across the country wait anxiously for the start of the 2009 football season, we are bombarded with the harsh realities of our current state.

The economy is at its lowest point since the great depression, unemployment is rising in the cities as well as small towns and as we watch our retirement fade into the night we are reminded each Saturday of the purity of the college game. Kids playing for the love of the game, for the pride of their school, for their friends and families.

There is no other sport that rewards teamwork than college football. This fall as the College Football season begins in colleges across the country from division I to division III; players, coaches and fans alike are anxiously waiting.

However, what makes this season different from the rest is what has happened outside the lines of the football field, in the cities, small towns, farms and local businesses throughout the US.

In recent months the media has dedicated its concentration to John and Kate's divorce, Michael Jackson's death, Senator Sanford's affair, several CEO's unlawful misconduct and all the other disgusting realities that our so called "leaders" displayed.

It became all the more obvious that talent trumps character when the US Congress had a moment of silence when Michael Jackson, the highly talented singer, drug addict and supposed sexual abuser of young children, died in his home.

It is times like these where the country needs a leader, someone or something to rally behind.

This spring the world saw the reaction of Susan Boyle fans on YouTube as she received record breaking views in her first audition of Britain's Got Talent. An ordinary person from a small town with an extraordinary gift and for the first time in a long time the world was inspired.

This September the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the country's most loved and hated college football team, the home of Rudy will set out to wake up the echoes of its storied past and return the program to glory. Irish fans are optimistic with their talented team after adding some highly decorated position coaches as well as some highly touted incoming freshman.

Those opposed to the Irish feel they will sink in their pool of mediocrity that has defined the program since the mid-1990s. Regardless of the outlook, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame under Head Coach Charlie Weis need to be successful in 2009 and not for Weis job, not for recruiting or more money but for the United States.

Notre Dame is unique in its makeup; a catholic University that prides itself on moral values, a commitment to academics and a binding respect and appreciation among all the students.

Athletes at Notre Dame are expected and required to fulfill all their credits like every other student without exception and year after year have some of the highest GPA and team graduation rates among Division I college football programs.

A school based on christian values, Notre Dame football players are student athletes that represent their University exceptionally well and carry themselves with pride, respect and class everywhere they go.

Under Weis' direction, nobody is above the team and walk-ons like Mike Anello are treated the same as No. 1 prospects such as Sam Young and Jimmy Clause.

In 2007 when the Irish lost in a devastating upset to the Navy Midshipman the Irish followed them to the corner of the field, held hands and paid respect to the brave men and women of the service academies showing their appreciation for their sacrifice.

Coaches like Lou Holtz and Charlie Weis have used their position as head coach not only to teach the fundamentals of football but as a platform to teach the fundamentals of life and becoming a man. Actions like these are what define leaders and it is this very spirit that can carry a nation in time of adversity.

At the end of the day Irish fans know that the kids they scream for every Saturday as they run through that famous tunnel are good people with integrity, character and humility. These men are the real leaders working in an environment where talent does not bypass moral values and character.

It is this reality that makes the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame the beating heart that is college football, the very heart that will triumph over the shallow nature of our problems and inspire us if only for a few hours each Saturday.