Blue and Gold Illustrated

Oct. 2, 2021

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 2, 2021 5 FAN FORUM SELFLESSNESS AND COMPASSION The article about Jack Coan's un- cle, Dan Coan, and his experiences on 9/11/01 resonated with me. His mantra of "leadership, levity, no fear of failure" certainly fits his experience on that day. As a survivor of the World Trade Cen- ter attacks myself, I think I would add "service" and "faith" to those three qualities. I was in my office on the 62nd floor of the North Tower when it was at- tacked. Having made sure that nine co- workers evacuated before me, I made it down to the ground level only to have the South Tower collapse before I could leave the area. Dan Coan's recollections of that moment are so close to my own. I am never unaware of how blessed I am to still be on this planet to see my grandchildren born. The 20th anniversary was even more emotional than usual. But stories like that of Jack Coan's uncle are not un- usual for me. For the last 10 years, I have volunteered as a docent at the 9/11 Trib- ute Museum where many of my fellow docents were first responders on that day. Through their experiences — and those like Dan Coan's — I am constantly amazed at the heroism displayed at the WTC on 9/11. Their stories — and those of many survivors whose courage and actions were not the result of emer- gency service training but from just knowing when "to do the right thing" — always remind me of the enormous good we as a people can do when we act out of selflessness and compassion for our brothers and sisters on this earth. Dcn. Stephen Kern '75 Via the internet SPECIAL IDEA Hey, Brian Kelly, I have an idea that just might work for special teams. Why not put all 11 players on the line for every single punt return and kickoff return? Maybe we can get lucky and get a fumble or cause them offsides? You never return any anyway, so put them all in the line. These young men have speed and talent, and it's time to return some kickoffs. Hawk David Uniontown, Pa. PLUCK PEACOCK What a horrible experience! No pause, rewind or record. A trip back to the bad old days of TV. If ND has any say in this matter, please stop this obvious money grab by NBC!! Brian F. Yarsevich Via the internet BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com FROM THE WEB Following a stellar performance — 10 tackles, two passes broken up and an interception — in Notre Dame's 27-13 win over Purdue Sept. 18, the national awards rolled in for junior safety Kyle Hamilton. Here is a sampling of what some Irish fans had to say about the Irish star on our message board at BlueandGold.com: lucio: I think kyle hamilton is kinda good. Coachvic3: Hamilton is a generational player. … We won't ever see another safety like him again. He is a true force in the secondary and a game changer. KevinPS: Best I've seen since Bobby Taylor. cmwicker: Best player in the country and it is not even close. BigHoss28: So obviously a lot of other schools have been much more prolific in turn- ing out elite safeties, but having both Hayseed (Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings) and Hamilton on the team in the span of a decade is pretty insane. Smith is already an all-time player in col- lege and the NFL, and Hamilton could be even better. thomasna: Hamilton is quite possibly the best player … in the country. Rich Starkey: 22 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 pass break-ups. Keep padding the stats and get invited to New York for the Heisman. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 provided an opportunity to celebrate the heroism and courage displayed by so many — including Dan Coan, seen here with his young nephew Jack — during that tragic event. PHOTO COURTESY DAN COAN

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