Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 23, 2019 5 FAN FORUM IMPENDING APOCALYPSE? Pay for Play is finally upon us? Have you thought that through? First, haven't you learned that any idea involving economics emanating from California is prima facie suspect? Second, college players already are being paid handsomely. For their services they receive in many cases room, board and tuition, and pre- sumably a college degree, aggregat- ing in value $50,000 to $100,000 per year for three to five years. Third, pay for play, I predict, is a slippery slope. What happens to team unity when teammates receive disparate pay- ments? Will unions organize the players and negotiate for more and better money, benefits and working conditions? With unions involved, will there be strikes? You think pay for play is "smarter"? Remember that when the top 25 teams are determined by whose alumni "buy" the best high school players available. It's a slippery slope to the destruc- tion of collegiate sports as we know it. Ed Adams, ND Law '63 Cincinnati Mr. Adams, this topic was addressed by Todd Burlage in his Nov. 9 "Upon Further Review" column, and Notre Dame did seem on board and in support with it hap- pening. It's still in the initial stages and a lot could occur in the next few years, but your concerns are shared by many. BEYOND THE GRIDIRON While I'm am not a Notre Dame graduate, I have been following the football team since I was around 12 years old (early 1960s). I'm not sure how long I have been a subscriber to Blue & Gold Illustrated, but it's been many years. Like all fans, I want the Irish to win every game and a national championship at least once a decade. While I enjoy your magazine and look forward to reading it each week, I would like to make one suggestion: focus more on the individual stories of the Notre Dame players, which I often find more inspiring than all of the analysis of the last game played or how the Irish professional players are doing in the NFL, MLB, NHL or NBA. Because Notre Dame separates it- self from other schools with the ac- ademics and benefits of the Notre Dame experience on a person's life, it might be nice to follow up on former players who have excelled and con- tributed to society after graduation. I'm sure these stories would be about not only past "stars," but on the role players and walk-ons. After all in our world today, a life story that inspires is more important than the last game won or lost. Just in case you print this, here's a "shout out" to my step-brother Mi- chael Devlin, Class of 1973! Kenneth Brown East Stroudsburg, Pa. Mr. Brown, we have done many "Where Have You Gone" pieces over the years, but admittedly have gone away from them more than we'd like. We'd like to revive that in the coming year. Thank you for this in- put and all your support through the years. With Senior Day against Boston College com- ing up Nov. 23, curiosity always arises about whether seniors with a fifth year of eligibility will return in 2020, or even if top junior NFL prospects such as Cole Kmet will come back or turn pro (a la cornerback Julian Love last season). While only a handful of players are available to interview each week, both Kmet and senior left tackle Liam Eichenberg indicated the week of the Navy game that their plan is to return to Notre Dame in 2020. Everyone has a right to change his mind along the way — and some have. Here were some reactions on BlueandGold.com. IrishFan4Life1987: I'm not sold on Kmet of- ficially returning until I see it. I know he's said it a few times, but I remember when Will Fuller said the same thing. I'll wait until after the year and it's official. On Eichenberg, I would've never imagined him leaving after this year. ND Corby: Great news. Shocked on Kmet. He'd be a second-round pick at worst I'd guess, more likely first. If he gets a first-round grade he'd be foolish to come back. Suspect this isn't settled. SJB75: Cole Kmet and playing baseball with his little brother Casey (a freshman infielder and catcher) helped here. Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey both stayed an extra season and both are thriving. Every kid is different. Soco24: With Eichenberg, Kmet and Daelin Hayes all coming back, it's like getting three 5-star commitments in this class. 34343434: Kmet I would think goes pro be- cause he will be the first/second TE off the board. Eichenberg needs a lot of work to get a first round or second round grade at this point. He comes back and improves, but still will be lucky to be a second round 2021 pick! This is due to him not learning much thanks to a bad hire in Jeff Quinn. NewMember21: Kmet is coming back. Not only is it beyond obvious, but he has literally said it himself, repeatedly. Doubting it is just dumb. FROM THE WEB JOIN THE CONVERSATION! GET A 60-DAY FREE TRIAL WITH CODE IRISH60 BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P.O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com Junior tight end Cole Kmet, a potential high NFL Draft pick in 2020, recently indicated that he intends to return for another season with the Fighting Irish. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS