It all started with a promise....TONY RICE...

When you're born in the south...you follow 2 creeds....You respect your elders,

and you play football!

For Tony Rice there was no third direction!...

It all started with a rule...a proposition...a loophole that led to one of the legends of

  Notre Dame football.

TONY RICE

First things first...let me get one thing outta the way, I have a very hetero, but no denying 

HUGE MAN CRUSH for Tony Rice!

It's not because we were life long buddies...it started for me back in Galloway, Ohio when he committed to the University of Notre Dame... Back then Prop 48 was something I  didn't even know existed...

All I knew was Tony Rice allowed me to talk all sorts of trash in my younger years to all the fans of a small local program called

 Ohio State!

" Yeah...but we got Tony Rice!"

That was the argument killer for any discussion!..

What could they come back with?....Tony Rice led the prolific.... dominant...NASTY team that worked their way from South Bend, Indiana to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!...in ass kicking fashion!

What is Prop 48?

Proposition 48 is an NCAA regulation that stipulates minimum high school grades and standardized test scores that student-athletes must meet in order to participate in college athletic competition.

Not something that existed at THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME!

Until Lou Holtz! 

Kid's were to be judged by grades and character...not just academics alone!...

Do you remember?

It was like watching men play with boys!...

Without Tony Rice...there is no Michael Vick....no Vince Young!....

Tony Rice set a standard and to this day....any dual threat QB that dawns the gold helmet will draw comparisons to Tony Rice!...

But it all started with a promise....a promise of education!  

-When it comes to Notre Dame what is your fondest memory?

I grew up in South Carolina...Growing up in the south you were raised to respect your elders...PERIOD! My grandmother was the center of my life...she guided me and taught me lessons that to this day are still relevant.  I remember when they "told me" (laughing) that I was going to the University of Notre Dame...that I was going to play for Lou Holtz...and that I would be getting one of the best educations that any school could provide me...and what doors it could open... I remember looking at them and promising...."I will graduate"

Nobody gave me a chance, Prop 48 kids can't make it at "real" schools... Notre Dame academics were too tough!...  That was a promise I was going to keep!..

It wasn't always easy....I had no money, the classes were HARD, and I wanted to go home!... But my Grandma and Mom told me..."We don't have the money to bring you home!..."(laughing)  

So it was time to make a decision!.... I wasn't ever gonna give up! I wanted to silence the doubters!...

-What do you remember about Lou?

Lou was no nonsense...We had something called LLH time!....That stood for Louis Leo Holtz Time!...and that meant you set your watch ten minutes ahead.... because "late" did not exist in his world...  

It was my junior year...we were all in a meeting, and it was USC week!... The meeting started on time as usual and about ten minutes into the meeting walked Brooks and Watters.... He told'em to GET OUT!... 

Then he gathered all the captains and we met to discuss how we were going to suspend our top two rushers for our game with USC....  I didn't know what to think...I was a little snot nosed junior...so I voted with the group....

Ten minutes late to a team meeting?.....

NO USC GAME!.... That's no nonsense!

That doesn't exist in the sport anymore... When I read about Tuitt missing Purdue....I thought.... We're on to something here!

-Well with that being said....What are your thoughts of Coach Kelly?

I like Coach Kelly a lot!... He realizes more than anyone that I've seen in years, that ND is a family...and with any family their are past members that can bring wisdom to the table.  

He was one of the first coaches in years that reached out to former players.... 

He reached out to me and wanted me to get involved with the team...He said "Hey...If you see something I don't....let me know!"  

He's not one of those "I got all the answers!" kind of guys!... He wants to win....He knows what Notre Dame stands for...but he's not willing to sacrifice the past to alter the future...

-What jumps out to you when you watch this offense?

Coach knows what he's got right now...He needs a running QB!... But right now he's making the most and developing what he has to win!... 

Tommy Rees is a legit QB!... I like the way he surveys the field but this is an offense that passes a lot!

I think once he get's his people in place that his system will look a lot like ours did in 88....Get the playmakers their touches....but run...run....and run....then gouge'em with the pass when they aren't looking!...

-Is there a player that stands out to you?

You know...I'd have to say Everett Golson...He's a runner...He's from South Carolina...He reminds me of myself...But he's a better athlete.. 

 He makes things happen and is very fluid....

 The one thing about Coach Kelly that reminds me of Coach Holtz is he puts players in position to succeed.. You were a wideout in high school...I wanna try ya at corner.... You played safety all your life....I wanna see you at inside LB!... 

He looks for talent and then puts them in a position to make an impact...I'm really excited to see each of his recruiting classes and what comes of the players once they hit the field...

-What has been ND's problem the past 20 years....and were do you see this program heading in the next 5 years?

The past 20 years?....

First thing first....There is no comparison for Lou!... He took a chance on us prop 48 kids and we did our best to make him proud...not just on the field but in life...

 What has been ND's issue....Simple...Players, play!... Coaches...coach.. 

The game has changed and we need to change with it!... 

Where is Kelly taking this program... to the top... I have no doubt that he is on the verge of winning it all...Notre Dame will become a permanent fixture in the TOP 10 EVERY YEAR...that's where he is taking it!...

In life we are often given opportunities....it's the way we react to these opportunities that will determine our legacy...  

Tony Rice had every reason to not reach his potential in life....He had every chance to turn left when he chose to turn right!...

He took all the criticism and turned it into jet fuel that not only propelled him  down the football field but down a road less traveled by the meek... 

Next time you want to take a moment and allow life to get the better of you think of Tony Rice.... and remember to make a promise to someone special.... Sometimes life is not just about showing up...but about realizing your potential....even if you're too young to see it!.... 

If you ever get a chance to meet Tony....go out of your way to do so... and thank him...

For taking Grandma's decision and running with it!....

GO IRISH and GOD BLESS!...

Thanks Tony for your time...and for making a nerd's day!...LOL

Special thanks to John Foley