Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM FEBRUARY 2022 43 IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE I n a play and a moment for Khalid Ka- reem that's best described as bitter- sweet during his mostly bitter second season with the Cincinnati Bengals, the former Irish defensive end may have saved his team's season Dec. 19, with a critical forced fumble and recovery in a 15-10 win over the Broncos that kept the Bengals (10-6) in the race for the AFC North title, which they eventually clinched Jan. 2. That's the sweet part. The bitter comes in that Kareem suf- fered a concussion on the same play, had to be carted off the field and was put on the inactive list the following week. K a re e m 's s t r i p a n d f u m b l e re - covery — the first o f h i s N F L c a - reer — of Broncos quarterback Drew Lock couldn't have come at a more op- portune time with Denver lined up at Cincinnati's 9-yard line and poised to take a fourth-quar- ter lead. "A to u c h d ow n [by Denver] puts us in a tough spot, so a really big play by [Kareem] to step up and take that ball away," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said of the key play that helped to snap a two-game losing streak. "Really a tre- mendous effort by him." After a solid rookie season in 2020 where Kareem played in all 16 games for Cincinnati, saw action on 24.5 per- cent of the defensive snaps, and totaled 19 tackles and a sack, a shoulder injury suffered this preseason put the fifth- round draft pick on injured reserve for the first seven weeks of this season. The former Irish team captain has since played sparingly upon his return, record- ing four tackles through five games. Kareem became a two-year starter and a pass-rushing menace for Notre Dame in 2018 and 2019, finishing his career with 109 tackles, including 26 for loss and 13 sacks. He finished the 2019 season tied for the Irish lead with 5.5 sacks. THREE IRISH NAMED TO PRO BOWL A trio of Irish players and NFL vet- erans were recently named to the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl. Eighth-year Dallas Cowboys offen- sive guard Zack Martin, who played at No t re Da m e f ro m 2009-13, was named to his seventh pro bowl and will play for the NFC squad. Fourth-year India- napolis Colts offen- sive guard Quenton Nelson — regarded by many as the best player at his position in the league — be- came only the 54th player in NFL history and just the second Colts player ever to earn pro bowl hon- ors in each of his first four seasons. Nelson played at Notre Dame from 2013-17 and be- came a unanimous All-American and the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft as a senior. In addition to paving the way for Jon- athan Taylor, the NFL's leading rusher through Week 16, Nelson was also one of only six starting guards who had not allowed a sack yet this season. He will suit up for the AFC. Tenth-year Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who played at Notre Dame from 2007-11, was selected to his sixth pro bowl and will line up for the NFC. ✦ Kareem, a second-year pro, forced and recov- ered a fumble in the red zone to help preserve the Cincinnati Bengals' 15-10 win versus the Denver Broncos Dec. 19. PHOTO COURTESY CINCINNATI BENGALS Khalid Kareem Makes Pivotal Play During Difficult Season M A R K E T P L A C E Call 877-630-8768 to advertise! 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 bot- tom of my heart to succour me in my neces- sity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse 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.T.D. POWERFUL PRAYER - to the Holy Spirit. You who solve all problems, who lights all roads so that I can obtain my goals. You who give me the Divine gift to forgive and to forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life, you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank You for all things and to con- firm that I never want to be separated from You, even and in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with You in eternal glory. Thank You for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consec- utive days. After three days the favor request- ed will be granted even though it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published im- mediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. J.D.L.