All American

I am in a Patriotic mood this weekend probably because it is the Labor Day Holiday. I watched some good football games this weekend showing great team spirit. BYU played Ole Miss and was behind most of the game until the 4th quarter where they persevered and won them 14-13. What an exciting jaw dropping game this was. Even though Ole Miss was ahead most of the game their coach was always screaming and yelling and making a scene. Bronco Mendenhall was always composed and and in control of his actions and led his BYU team to victory. I think there is a lesson to learn here. He leads his team with a lot of love.

 

Another coach that led his team with love was Knute Rockne All American. He was a famous football coach for Notre Dame University.They made a movie about him starring Pat O'Brien, president Ronald Regan and others. Ronad Regan played George Gipper who was one of his best all time players. Notre Dame selected George Gipper as their first all American. He was one of the only players that played various positions. He played quarter back, half back, and punter. He is still all time leader for a career in average yards per rush, average yards per play, and for total offense yards per game total offense-128.4.  

 

 

 

Knute Rockne was a football player and regarded as one of the greatest  football coaches in college football history. His biography at the College Foot Ball Hall of Fame calls him " American football's most renowned coach."  He is credited with popularizing the forward pass. He was born in Norway March 4th, 1988. He learned to play football in the neighborhood as a kid. He worked hard, saved up money, and later put himself through college. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1914. He became a Laboratory assistant to a noted polymer chemist and helped out with the football team at Notre Dame. He later rejected further work with in chemistry after receiving an offer to coach football. 

 

 During 13 years as head coach, Rockne over saw his "Fighting Irish" to 105 victories, 12 losses, five ties, and 5 national championships including five undefeated seasons without a tie! Rockne introduced the "shift" with the backfield lining up in a "T" formation then quickly shifting into a box to the left or right just as the ball was snapped. He worked hard to promoting Notre Dame football so as to make it financially successful. He was noted for wanting to shape and mold his football players lives. He wanted them to become more than just great football players. He wanted them to become great young men. He truly loved them and the game of football. It was his passion in life!

 

Knute Rockne died in a plane crash In Kansas on March 31st 1931. He was in route to oversee and help with a Hollywood movie called the " The spirit of Notre Dame." President Hoover called Rockne's death a "national loss."  A student gymnasium was named after him, Many things were built and named after him in his honor. Someone even composed a musical piece after him and it goes on and on. He was truly a great " All American."

 

 

 

His life and legacy gives me goosebumps. You can find his movie Knute Rockne All American at the local library. It is a fabulous movie and I highly recommend it!!! I am now taking a look at my life and seeing what kind of Legacy I can leave and what kind of loving example I can set.

 

Beverly