Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1508272
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM SEPT. 30, 2023 5 FAN FORUM PROTESTING PEACOCK To protest NBC's non-broadcast of the ND-Central Michigan game (which appeared exclusively on NBC's stream- ing platform Peacock), I did not fly my ND flag nor wear my ND jersey. I know this is insignificant in the big picture, however, to me as a lifelong fan it is the only means of protest. As a kid, my neighbor would occasion- ally take me to ND games. I would also ride my bicycle in rain, snow and ice to beg for tickets to get into games. Since moving from the area, I seldom miss a game. I remember listening on the radio, with my grandfather, to ND and the ac- complishments of Paul Hornung. My point is that many fans want to stream the games and some of us want to just sit and watch on NBC, which they are probably paying for anyway. There- fore, it appears that NBC's streaming ND games on Peacock is nothing but trying to force people to subscribe to Peacock. Chuck Horvath Crockett, Texas Mr. Horvath, you're not wrong. Unfor- tunately, whether we like it or not, sporting events being streamed is part of the world we live in now. Back in February, Notre Dame director of athletics Jack Swarbrick told Blue & Gold Illustrated the following: "Everyone who does a broadcast agree- ment — the NFL, anyone — understands part of their inventory will be streamed as opposed to carried on regular television. NBC with Peacock is a great streaming partner. We've found that out with the games we've done already, and we look forward to continuing to work with Pea- cock. We have to have that component." A BRUSH WITH GREATNESS Last week, I received my issue of Blue & Gold Illustrated. As usual, I turn to Fan Forum first and was saddened to see Tony Roberts had passed away. In 2006, I became very disappointed when Westwood One eased him out of its radio broadcast. I was so upset I composed a letter on Sept. 13, 2006, and sent it to his home. Days later, I was at Notre Dame for the dedication of the Jordan Hall of Science. The University dedicated a chemistry lab to my late father-in-law, Arthur L. Kranzfelder. Friday morning, I was at the Bookstore and had to call the of- fice. I spoke to my secretary, Arlene. She advised: "You will never guess who just called." It was Tony Roberts. She told me she spoke to him for half an hour but did not bother to get a re- turn phone number. Ironically, I walked into the Bookstore and saw Tom Pagna autographing a book he wrote about his mother. There was hardly anyone in the Bookstore at 11 a.m. I walked up to his table and told him I just sent a letter to Tony Roberts. He looked up, pointed his finger at me and said, "You're the lawyer from Toledo!" The next week, I was able to speak with Tony Roberts, and we became friends. Every Christmas, he would send me a Christmas card with his im- peccable handwriting. Tony was so talented, and he was my friend. Cormac B. DeLaney Toledo, Ohio P.S. — In 2006, Tony told Westwood One he was willing to do the Notre Dame broadcast for free, but they did not take him up on it. What a loss. Thanks for sharing, Cormac. Tony was definitely a great ambassador for Notre Dame football. BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters, Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com Notre Dame's impressive 4-0 start this season and success on the recruiting trail — most recently a commitment from elite 2025 quarterback Deuce Knight of Lucedale (Miss.) George County — had Fighting Irish fans feeling optimistic about what the future holds. Here is a snippet from a discussion that took place on our message board at BlueandGold.com leading up to the matchup with Ohio State. JLRSR: I said that if the Irish give Freeman 2-3 more recruiting seasons he will build a winning team! He will be better than Lou Holtz if he remains here as far as recruiting and may be better than coaching with the help of the administration. 53green: I think ND is finally treating the QB position like a heralded and highly coveted position. I have to believe that whatever Hartman is getting in NIL is now a blueprint to getting 5-star QB's to commit. NJNative140: WOW!! I hope so!! Better than Holtz? Not sure there. ND played everybody back then. Holtz had players lining up to play there similar to Alabama and Georgia now I can't see that at ND in today's CFB. Too many other options out there. FightinMike87: Holtz also had 30 more scholarships, lighter academic restrictions and no transfer portal to deal with. Irishmark: I'm on board! Marcus is building a championship program and culture. The lure of Notre Dame will once again be something we haven't seen in decades here. CTIrish80: Urban Meyer was correct in saying ND should be recruiting elite QB talent — getting Deuce and CJ Carr in back-to-back classes changes all that. FROM THE WEBSITE .com .com