clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Five old Notre Dame Football photos for a Friday — No facemask ALL glory

Safety rules? Don’t make me laugh

By Joshua Vowles
Notre Dame-Army Football Game Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Happy Friday everyone! I have access to thousands and thousands of Notre Dame Fighting Irish photos, and will never use a small fraction of those on this site. The thing is though — I want to, and I’m going to give it a solid shot as a way to bless the beginning of the weekend throughout the offseason.

The NCAA is ready to pass a bunch of new rules for the safety of the student athlete. Keep that in mind as you scroll through these photos that lack a facemask. Warriors to a man — these guys could scrap.

Let’s go!

When in doubt — always win one for the Gipper.

Games against Army inside Yankee Stadium were the quintessential no facemask games.

Notre Dame-Army Football Game
Jack Chevigny of Notre Dame gains five yards in the game against Army at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York, November 10, 1928. Earlier Knute Rockne had given his famous, ‘Win one for the Gipper’ speech, and when Chevigny later scored a touchdown to tie the game, he said, ‘That’s one for the Gipper.’ Notre Dame won, 12-6. Chevigny later died at the battle of Iwo Jima in World War Two.
Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images

There’s the legend

Without a doubt... George Gipp would not have the traits to play for Brian Kelly.

University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTHBEND, IN- CIRCA 1920: George Gipp running back of the Notre Dame University Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
Photo by Notre Dame/Collegiate Images via Getty Images

P-I-M-P

Speaking of games against Army... New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth and his wife stood out as Ma and Pa Bear.

Babe Ruth & Wife Attend Notre Dame-Army Game
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Babe Ruth and his wife Claire Ruth pose for a photo before the Army-Notre Dame football game at Yankee Stadium on November 28, 1931 in New York City.
Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images

Sparty cheats

So what if I lied about photos without a facemask — the Michigan State Spartans have always been cheaters.

Earl Morrall Tackling Jim Morse
Michigan State’s Earl Morrall Tackling Notre Dame running back Jim Morse.

Golden Boy

Paul Hornung, the original Golden Boy, putting it on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa Hawkeyes v Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Paul Hornung #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball on a keeper play during a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 19, 1955 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Fighting Irish defeated the Hawkeyes 17-14.
Photo by Collegiate Images via Getty Images

More From One Foot Down