Louis Nix III Cleared to Practice After Surgery

Former Notre Dame nose tackle Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix was back on the practice field for the Houston Texans yesterday after missing a few weeks recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.  Here's the story:

LINK:  NIX BACK

A Candid Interview With "Domer" Ian Williams

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Ian Williams -- who's coming off of "four" surgeries in the last eleven months on his injured ankle -- was back at practice yesterday with the San Francisco 49ers.

Williams was very candid about the challenge he will face in getting back on the field.

LINK:  IAN WILLIAMS

WatchND's Look at the Notre Dame QB's

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media have been featuring a number of the position groups for the 2014 edition of Notre Dame football and today they looked at the QB's -- during the team's first time in pads on the new Field Turf at the Stadium.

It was also announced earlier today that Everett Golson would be the starter against Rice -- he met with the media and his session is linked below as well:

LINK:  THE QB POSITION AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON MEDIA SESSION

Brian Kelly Names a Few 2014 Starters Today

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media today and he released some names of guys who would be in the starting line-up against Rice on August 30th.

A few surprises...

LINK:  COACH KELLY

A Few Days in the Life of Notre Dame Football

These photos capture a little of the "essence" that is Notre Dame Football.  When you accept the responsibility of wearing the GOLD HELMET -- all eyes are on you!

 Football Practice today on the new Field Turf inside Notre Dame Stadium.

 Ben Koyack and Deshone Kizer walking into ND Stadium today for practice.

 The greatest helmet in all of sport.

 Feeding the Fighting Irish (Mike McGlinchey & Mathias Farley)

Media coverage at every practice.

 NBC in town to interview Everett Golson

ESPN's Rece Davis, Danny Kannel and Mac Brown taking photos of "Touchdown Jesus" while on campus Monday at Notre Dame.  Even the media and sports "celebrities" are in awe of this place...

Oklahoman Protestant Pastor's "Like for ND"

Found this today on the official blog of Notre Dame Athletics -- it's a piece written by a Protestant preacher by the name of Lance Ward from Oklahoma.  Lance who was raised to dislike Notre Dame for breaking Oklahoma's 57 game winning streak -- many years ago...

However, as you'll see in this post -- Pastor Ward had a change of heart after visiting the Notre Dame campus for last year's game with Oklahoma.

Thanks Lance!

LINK:  THE DAY I FELL "IN LIKE..."

Video: Prince Shembo's First NFL Game & Sack

The Atlanta Falcons "Mic'd Up" former Notre Dame student-athlete Prince Shembo in his first NFL game -- albeit an exhibition game against the Dolphins.

Stick with the video and you'll see his first NFL sack of a QB from his new middle linebacker position.

LINK:  PRINCE SHEMBO

Must Read: A Brother's Love...

Folks, I've had the pleasure of crossing paths with Tony Alford on a few occasions here at Notre Dame -- and I am better for it.

A year ago, Tony lost his younger brother Aaron to a blood clot.  That's Aaron on the left, Tony on the right and their MOM in the middle -- in the photo above.

You're going to want to read this story about Tony taking over Aaron's football camp in Colorado.  A MUST READ!

LINK:  THE ALFORD BROTHERS

Big Time Depth & Talent at Safety Position!

The gang at WatchND spent some time this morning evaluating the safety position with Notre Dame football coach Kerry Cooks.  Plenty of talent here!

LINK:  COACH COOKS

Brady Quinn Talks With Miami Media Today...

Former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn met with the media immediately after the Dolphins' practice today -- you'll get a kick out of this...

Brady is wearing uniform #7 for the Dolphins.

LINK:  BRADY QUINN

LINK:  PHOTO GALLERY -- QUINN'S FIRST PRACTICE

Is He Notre Dame's Next All-Time Great?

This young man is a special talent...

You'll enjoy the Sports Illustrated feature story on Notre Dame student-athlete Jaylon Smith.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  JAYLON SMITH

Coach Tony Alford Talks ND Running Backs

Notre Dame football coach Tony Alford (one of the classiest people you'll ever meet) was interviewed yesterday about his talented trio of running backs.  Click on the link below to watch:

LINK:  COACH ALFORD

Brady Quinn Signs Contract with Dolphins!

Well, the FOX Sports TV gig lasted about one week...

The story broke in the last couple of hours that former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn signed a contract today with the Miami Dolphins!  Here's the Miami Herald story:

LINK:  BRADY QUINN A DOLPHIN!

ESPN: Coach Brian Kelly "WIRED" at Practice

ESPN's Rece Davis, Mac Brown and Danny Kanell were on campus today visiting the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  Here's a link to their segment on Coach Kelly during practice -- along with his Mac Brown interview:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WIRED

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON GOLSON AND VAN GORDER

Notre Dame Women's Golf Team in Ireland!!!

Not bad duty for the Notre Dame Women's Golf Team -- they're in Ireland playing golf for eight days with a number of friends of the University.

Today was DAY ONE and they had a couple of special moments at Waterville Golf Links -- one of the top 20 links golf courses in the world.

• Notre Dame's women's head coach Susan Holt came "one inch" from a HOLE-in-ONE (see photo above) at Waterville -- and wouldn't you know it -- in the the group behind Coach Holt was the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny (that's Coach Holt with the Prime Minister in the 4th photo from the top)

The Prime Minister then joined the Notre Dame family after the round for some conversation and pictures.  That's him in the "royal blue" shirt in the pictures above.

Got to love the Notre Dame Monogram Flag flying in Ireland!

Just click on the photos above to enlarge!

Emma Reaney's National Championship Ring!

Notre Dame student-athlete Emma Reaney won the 200 Breaststroke this past season -- in an American Record Time -- at the NCAA Championship.  With it came this beautiful ring!

Corey Robinson's Mario Balotelli "Hair Tribute"

Notre Dame student-athlete Corey Robinson -- the son of NBA All-Time great David Robinson -- has a favorite soccer player by the name of Mario Balotelli.  Robinson decided to mimic Balotelli's hair style. 

I wonder what the ADMIRAL thinks...

Saturday's ND Football Practice Report

Catch the video replay of yesterday's first "on-campus" football practice for the Fighting Irish.  You'll also see a link from Coach Kelly's post practice comments:

LINK:  PRACTICE REPORT

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

Replay: Jimmy Clausen's 73 Yard TD Pass!

Former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen had a great first "audition" last night for the Chicago Bears.  Clausen played the third quarter -- throwing for 150 yards (7 for 13) and 2 TD's and 2 point conversion.  He also scrambled for 16 yards to keep a drive alive -- leading the Bears to a come from behind 34 - 28 exhibition win over the Eagles.

Here's a video replay of his 73-yard TD pass!

The photo above is of Jimmy's second TD pass -- a 22 yard effort to Michael Spurlock

LINK:  CLAUSEN

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE ANALYSIS

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN-TIMES STORY

Check Out the "ULTIMATE TAILGATE TABLES"

If you're planning on TAILGATING in the parking lots around Notre Dame Stadium -- or, from home -- you have got to check this out!

It's called the KNOCKDOWN TABLE -- and it's manufactured by a company based in South Bend, IN.  I've been to their facility and checked these tables out first hand -- THEY ARE AWESOME!

Here's what's great -- they are PORTABLE and they are SOLID.  If you're tired of the typical folding table approach to your tailgating at Notre Dame -- upgrade to the "bar height" of the Knockdown Table.  I'm going to!

I'm sure if you order one -- they'll deliver it to you when you come into town for your Notre Dame game -- just click on the link below to learn more:

LINK:  THE KNOCKDOWN TABLE