Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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16 OCT. 29, 2022 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED said. "That's my 'why.' Every day I go so hard, for her. No matter what, I know she's always got me. She's always look- ing down on me." THE INJURY Fisher was supposed to be that guy in 2021. He came in with a ready-made offen- sive lineman's body at 336 pounds. Most true freshman offensive linemen have to pack the pounds on in their initial stages of their college careers. Fisher? He's had to shed nearly 10 pounds to get to a comfortable playing weight. He eased right into life at the next level and earned the right to be Notre Dame's first true freshman to start a season opener along the offensive line since Sam Young in 2006. "Not everybody gets that opportu- nity," Fisher said. Even fewer people see it slip right away in a blink. A tweak of the knee. Fisher tore his meniscus in the season opener at Florida State, had surgery and was sidelined for the rest of the regular season. For 11 games, Fisher stood, sat and watched his teammates fight for a berth in the College Football Playoff while he could do nothing but rehab and hope that if the Fighting Irish did indeed solidify one of those four coveted spots, he'd be suiting up to help the blue and gold try to win it all. A loss to Cincinnati in early Octo- ber ultimately derailed that opportu- nity. But it didn't alter the way in which Fisher went about his situation. He worked tirelessly to get back on the field as soon as he could no matter what. At the midway point of the season, former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Fisher was "ahead of schedule" in get- ting his body back into playing shape. "He's one of those guys that things have come together really quickly for him," Kelly said. Sure, Fisher has impressive genetics. Those are well documented. But he also has an endless motor. The injury was always going to heal some on its own post-surgery. But it's the commitment to stability exercises and doing the right things that puts an athlete over the top every time. Giving it his all was the only way Fisher knew. "My parents just drove me since Day 1 to be the best that I can be," Fisher said. "No matter the circumstances, just push because it could always be worse. I think about my sister. She couldn't walk or talk. I can do all of those things. "So for me, it's just fighting no matter the circumstances." THE COMEBACK Fisher made his second career start against No. 9 Oklahoma State Jan. 1 in the Fiesta Bowl at Glendale, Ariz. Notre Dame had a new head coach in Marcus Free- man. The Fighting Irish had a new buzz about them by way of Freeman's exciting cutting-edge vision for the program, too. When he is not pancaking defenders on the gridiron, Fisher can often be found serving kids at the YMCA of Greater Michiana. PHOTO COURTESY BLAKE FISHER