Notre Dame Football: Why Michael Floyd's Career Will Never Be Forgotten

Growing up in snowy St. Paul, Minnesota, current Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd didn't have any semblance of an easy life. He did have one great presence in his life, though: his mother, Theresa Romero.

Ms. Romero worked long, arduous hours in order to support her family. Her son, Michael Floyd, certainly hasn't forgotten that effort put forth by his loving mother.

After completing his junior high years, Floyd was placed in prestigious Cretin-Derham Hall for his high school education. The nationally renowned school has produced a vast amount of notable individuals, including current Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and NFL legend Steve Walsh, among others.

It was during Floyd's four years at Cretin-Derham that he was able to make a name for himself as one of the nation's premier football prospects.

Recruited by the likes of Ohio State, Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin, Michael Floyd chose to enroll at the University of Notre Dame. His choice wasn't just a football-related one, though.

Floyd's mother, Theresa, has always understood the value of an education, especially that of a college degree. What better place to play football and receive an education than at Notre Dame?

That's where Michael Floyd's journey began. Rated as the nation's sixth-best wide receiver in the class of 2007, per Rivals.com, the 6'3", 224-pound product was destined to make an immediate impact for the Fighting Irish.

Floyd's presence was felt from his first career start against San Diego State in 2008, with a dazzling 22-yard touchdown reception from Jimmy Clausen.

Floyd would finish his freshman year with 48 receptions for 719 yards and seven touchdowns. His numbers would only improve from there.

Since 2008, Floyd has gone on to shatter nearly every Notre Dame school receiving record, while becoming, perhaps, the best collegiate wide receiver.

However, Floyd's career has been marked by off-the-field incidents. He's run afoul of the law on three occasions, each of which involved the consumption of alcohol by a minor. The most recent incident was the worst of the three.

In March of this year, Floyd was cited for driving while intoxicated, jeopardizing his final season of eligibility. However, the judge in his case ultimately suspended Floyd's driver's license for six months, and ordered the Fighting Irish senior to perform community service hours, along with alcohol education courses.

Following that major transgression, many fans began to wonder what kind of play they would see out of the star receiver. Any doubt that was wondered aloud served as motivation for Floyd, as his senior season has been, by far, the best of his career. 

Through 12 regular season games, Michael Floyd has racked up 95 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.

His coaches knew that it was only a matter of time before they saw that production. It started with the way he approached practice every day, the way he exuded leadership on and off the field and, finally, the way he was able to overcome his costly mistake.

What other NFL-bound receiver would stay an hour after practice just to practice returning punts? That speaks to Floyd's willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win. That attitude will be sorely missed next season.

However, Floyd will leave Notre Dame having become the man he was destined to be. He will have fulfilled his promise to his mother that he would graduate, and he'll be making millions in the NFL for years to come.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly can attest to the significance of Floyd's transformation.

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"This is why I coach. To see a young man change the course of his life, and see that on a day-to-day basis, it's probably as rewarding as any singular victory. And that's what Michael Floyd has done. And that feels good as a coach that you can see a young man who is in a good place. He wasn't in such a good place, but now he is, and that's important."

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Now Floyd will be able to thank his mother in a very, very big way. Thank you, Mr. Floyd. You won't soon be forgotten.