Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DEC. 19, 2020 53 WHERE HAVE YOU GONE? Call 877-630-8768 to advertise! said in tribute. "People never had the opportunity to see what Coach Weis did behind the scenes in mentoring and pushing me to be great." FINAL SALUTE About an hour after a heartbreaking 33-30, double-overtime home loss to Connecticut in late November on Se- nior Day 2009 — Anello's last game at Notre Dame Stadium — an undersized hero still wearing a blue jersey, gold pants and his emotions on his sleeve emerged from the tunnel one final time. Alone on the field and alone in his thoughts, Anello knelt at the 50-yard-line and let his mind's eye race through four years of experi- ences in one blink. "So emotional, I just reflected on everything," Anello recalled, quiver in his voice. "I just felt like I put my heart and soul into playing there, and it was something I could've never imagined. Just kind of thinking about the fond memories and everything that went into it." And now 12 years later, Anello marvels at the autograph and cor- respondence requests he still receives from adoring Irish football fans. "I was some 5-foot-3, 100-pounds- soaking-wet kid, how the heck do they even remember me?" Anello asked with comical exaggeration. "That is what makes Notre Dame so special, and I think that is what I truly treasure." MAKING MORE MOMENTS Notre Dame fans will always re- member Anello for his achievements and heroics on the football field from 2007-09. But his work beyond strong leadership and su- preme play as a special teams gunner is perhaps even more impressive. During his time at Notre Dame, Anello became the point man for many philan- thropic initiatives, most no- tably, the St. Baldrick's Foun- dation that raises money to battle pediatric cancer. More recently, Anello, 33, focuses his fundraising efforts on military veteran causes and brain trauma (C.T.E.) research. Last summer, Anello joined former Irish players Brady Quinn, Kyle Rudolph, Mike Golic, Braxston Cave, Dayne Crist and others for a fundraiser in South Florida organized by Weis. "Coach Weis has always looked out for me. He has just jumped in, even for things he didn't have to help me out on," Anello said in grateful ret- rospect. "This was really cool having him bring all of us together and going out of his way to keep the crew tight." Married to the former Erin Reil — who played hockey at Northeastern University and is celebrated by her husband as "a better athlete than I will ever be" — Anello and his bride raise their son of 18 months, Jackson Pat- rick, and await a second child in June. Career-wise, in July 2017, Anello and his two business partners launched M33 Growth, an investment firm that provides capital, manpower, market- ing and a boost to "bootstrapped" en- trepreneurs, software businesses and tech companies wanting to compete with and overtake "the big boys." When asked to define the mission of M33 Growth, Anello provided a perfect paradigm: "It's The David and Diane versus Goliath Story," he said. "We create a competitive advantage." Gratefully and unconditionally, An- ello insists that neither his football nor his finance careers would be possible without the proud support of his par- ents, Andy and Sue, and his two older brothers Nick, 35, and Chris, 38. "I owe so much to all of them for believing in me and pushing me to always be better," Anello said, "and for teaching me to always go through life wanting to pay it forward." ✦ Anello and his wife, Erin — who played hockey at Northeastern University — have an 18-month-old son and are expecting a second child in June. PHOTO COURTESY MIKE ANELLO Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One-of-a-Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectibles in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruit- ful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have re- course to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. S.M.B. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruit- ful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have re- course to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. P.A.S. 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