Happy Friday everyone! I have access to thousands and thousands of Notre Dame Fighting Irishphotos, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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