Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/145833
if you don't necessarily believe it, you have to show it and, shoot, things happen." Grace's energy level and sheer joy of playing resonates with teammates, including being referred to as a "rabid dog" by fifth-year senior offensive guard Chris Watt, who believes under you skin a little bit, that gets to your core a little bit. [Nix] does it for everyone, he does it for me, and it really helps." In coaching, it's taxing to be the man who replaces a legend. Hunk Anderson (1931-33), Terry Brennan (195458) and Bob Davie (1997-2001) all discovered that at Notre Dame, and so did Dan Devine (1975-80) to a degree, despite winning a national title after succeeding Ara Parseghian in 1975. As a player, replacing an icon such as Te'o also can be a burden, but competing in football is never perceived as a negative to Grace, nor is upholding a standard of excellence. "When we're in our meeting rooms or when we're on the field, none of that Fifth-year seniors Dan Fox (top) and Carlo Calabrese (bottom), co- matters," Grace said starters at Will linebacker the past two seasons, combined to make 112 of succeeding one the most decorated and tackles (63 by Fox and 49 by Calabrese) in 2012. Photo by Bill Panzica honored players in colhe can be the top surprise on the 2013 lege football annals. "I'm listening to defense. Coach Diaco and Coach [Brian] Kelly. Whereas senior All-American nose Those are the guys I need to please. I guard Louis Nix III provides the don't really need to worry about any"tough love" approach to his team- one else. I need to come into my own mates, Grace is more in the Te'o mold and keep working. of uplifting those around him. "As far as that pressure, I don't feel "You need a balance," Grace said. it. I'm just having fun. When I go out "You can't always just have some- there on the field, I'm out there with one pushing positive reinforcement. my brothers. I like flying around and Sometimes you need somebody to get that's all I worry about." ✦