Many fans of the University of Notre Dame believe the tradition of wearing green jerseys began against USC in 1977. Well, it really began in the 20's under Knute Rockne. Back then the Freshmen football teams wore green jerseys, while the Varsity wore blue. When teams showed up at Notre Dame wearing blue jerseys, Rockne would switch his team over to green jerseys to better distinguish his players from the opposition. In a game against Navy, Rockne had his teams wear a green jersey underneath their blue ones and when the Midshipmen scored first in the game - Rockne ordered his team to tear off their blue jerseys and wear the green. And, as George Trevor of the New York Sun reported; "Instantaneously, the Notre Dame regulars yanked off their blue outer sweaters and - like a horde of green Gila monsters - darted onto the field. From that moment on, Notre Dame held the initiative, imposed its collective will upon the Navy." Notre Dame came from behind to win that game, 19-6, and then used the same maneuver the following year at Chicago's Soldier Field. That 1928 game saw Notre Dame beat Navy, 7-0, with the Scholastic Football Review including this description: "Mr. K.K. Rockne may, or may not, be a psychologist. But, he did array his team in bright green jerseys for their battle with the United States Naval Academy. Mr Rockne evidently surmised that garbing a band of native and adopted Irish in their native color is somewhat akin to showing a bull the Russian flag." The green jerseys remained prominent throughout the Frank Leahy years - particularly in September of 1947, when Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack graced the cover of Life magazine clad in green. Digger Phelps used to trot out the green jerseys during the NCAA Tournament when the Irish played on or near St. Patrick's Day. Muffet McGraw has done the same with her teams. Will Brey bring the "green" to New Orleans tomorrow? The link below shows the Irish running onto the field in green jerseys in the famous 1977 game against USC:
NOTRE DAME WEARING GREEN VERSUS USC IN 1977
Tomorrow, NFL scouts will be found with their stop watches, note pads and cameras inside Notre Dame's indoor practice facility as they take a look at the Notre Dame football players who are interested in playing in the NFL. It's NFL Pro Day at Notre Dame and many of the graduating seniors from the past two Irish football teams will be going through a number of "combine" drills and tests. Not sure if Golden Tate will be participating -- Jimmy Clausen will not, his personal Pro Day is scheduled for April 9th, though he will be in attendance. Here are the players who will be participating; James Aldridge, Sergio Brown, Paul Duncan, Kyle McCarthy, Raeshon McNeil, Eric Olsen, Robby Parris, Morrice Richardson, Scott Smith, Toryan Smith, Sam Young, David Grimes and Asaph Schwapp. Three years ago, Brady Quinn was a hot topic amongst NFL teams -- here's a link to his NFL Pro Day at Notre Dame:
