Bobref

They did. But why are they not catching the sort of flack Notre Dame did when they declined the Pop Tarts Bowl invite?

Do you think when, for example, Nick Saban, turns up his toes there will be an outpouring like this for him? I don’t think so. Coach Lou’s impact at Notre Dame went way beyond the football field.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Coach Lou begins with the perfect line from Rev. Brian C. Ching. "If we were to start late, we might hear some yelling from Coach in the back, so we're going to do our best to start on time."

One thing that occurred to me. It’s unlikely any of those students were alive when Coach Lou coached his last game at Notre Dame in 1996. Yet, they turned out.

The Band of the Fighting Irish plays one final salute to Coach Lou at the conclusion of today’s service. https://www.facebook.com/reel/900215172804354/?fs=e&fs=e

Coach Lou’s service is today. Visitation last evening at the Basilica. Here are the students lining up to pay their respects. Going to be a somber day on campus. R.I.P. Coach.

Robert Irsay founded a very successful sheet metal contracting business in Illinois. He bought the Rams in 1972, and immediately traded them for the Colts, which he moved to Indy in 1984. The family fortune comes primarily from the franchise’s appreciation in value over that time. Robert paid $19 million for the franchise in 1972. Forbes estimates the current value at $5.9 billion.

#1 Irish stickmen move to 7-0, as their defense absolutely stifles the Skunk Bears, 9-4. After taking 3 straight from the B1G, Irish move to the ACC Schedule: Virginia, North Carolina (#5), Duke (#6), and Syracuse (#8), plus a non-conference against #2 Richmond. Going to be a brutal stretch run.

A lot of people don’t know it, but the most historically successful athletic program at Notre Dame is the fencing team. NCAA championships start this week. Irish have won 14 national championships, 4 of the last 5, and 6 of the last 9. Irish currently ranked #1 in NCAA.

How ironic, since the reason he became disaffected with the Raiders in the first place was their putting him on IR at the end of last season, when he insisted he could play.

#1 Irish men’s lacrosse outlasts the undefeated #7 Buckeyes in Columbus, 9-8. Next up: Michigan.

Can’t imagine a guy would take the job without asking that question. But … rebuild often gives a new head coach a longer leash, since expectations are lowered initially.

Word this morning is the Bears are after the Dolphins’ Jalen Waddle, a guy who can take the top off a defense. Stay tuned.

Bears giving up a 5th rounder for their new starting center, Garrett Bradbury, late of the New England Patriots.

Currently, the Bears have $32M in cap space, and 4 picks in the first 2 rounds. Mr. Poles, it’s right there in front of you. Given the strides they made last year, if Poles hits a homer this off season, they will be in as good a position as anyone to win a championship.

I like it. Now, if only Stefan Diggs would return to the Bills, Buffalo could finally compete with Dallas for the most “diva” wide receivers.

Arrangements for Coach Lou. Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the Campus, with Ara and The Rock. He’ll be at Notre Dame forever, now.

I have my own personal Coach Lou story. When I was much younger, I was very active in the Indiana State Bar Association. One year, the Association’s Spring Meeting was in South Bend. I was in charge of the program at the big luncheon, and the speaker was Coach Lou. So, there I was. Sitting up at the head table with Lou Holtz and Father Hesburgh. Needless to say, I was in a star struck daze the whole time. As the lunch was finishing up, Coach Lou leaned over to me and said “Bob, how long would you like me to talk?” I was very conscious of the fact that we were in the middle of Spring football, and I didn’t want to impose on him. And, of course, we had a schedule. I said, “Coach, if you could give us 15-20 minutes, that would be great.” He got this funny look on his face, and said “Bob, I’m just getting warmed up at 20 minutes.” He got up and spoke extemporaneously for 45 minutes … and he talked faster than those guys who do the disclaimers in tv commercials. Then stuck around afterward to talk to people. Coach had a well-deserved reputation for graciousness and generosity. And while he coached, and was successful, at several different places, his heart belonged to Notre Dame. R.I.P., Coach. Take your place up there with Leahy, Ara, and The Rock.

Very soon we will celebrate a life extraordinarily well lived. But today, on the 148th anniversary of the birth of Knute Rockne, the Notre Dame community is mourning the loss of one of the immortals.

Bears reportedly making a “strong offer” to the Eagles for AJ Brown. Sorry, but I have to disagree with that one. Don’t need him in the locker room.

The reason Super Bowl players were taxed in California is because they worked there (in California) for at least a week. That’s what California law requires. If it had just been a weekend trip, California taxes would not apply.

Alma mater of Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts.

NIL is most certainly taxable income. They get taxed in the state where they are “employed.” I believe it’s Mississippi where legislation has been introduced to make NIL earnings exempt from state taxes … so as to give their state schools a recruiting advantage.

Shocker. A real blow to the OL.

After taking down Maryland, 11-8 in College Park, Irish lax remains at #1 this week. Next up: #11 Ohio State in Columbus.