Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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60 PRESEASON 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE A video titled "Audric Estimé lowered the boom" went viral early in Au- gust after the Denver Broncos rookie tailback continued to gain celebrity sta- tus with his play during the first week of NFL training camps. In the video, the Irish record-holder takes a handoff from Broncos quarter- back Bo Nix, bursts through the middle of the defense, picks up a head of steam, and steamrolls unsuspecting cornerback Reese Taylor in the defensive secondary. Taylor, who was knocked backward about seven yards, obviously wasn't pre- pared for the violent collision with the 5-foot-11, 227-pound bruising back, much to the delight of those in attendance. This one head-knocking play dem- onstrated the formula that made Estimé one of the best tailbacks in Irish history during his final two years at Notre Dame in 2022 and 2023 — speed and power. Already considered one of the steals of the 2024 NFL Draft, Estimé recorded 1,341 rushing yards for the Irish in 2023, and also set a Notre Dame single-sea- son record with 18 rushing touchdowns, but he still wasn't drafted until the fifth round (147th overall). "So, I saw a runner first, and then the value on where we took him," second- year Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of Es- timé's draft value. "Every once in a while there's a player you could say, 'When this draft is all over with, I'd love to have this player.' Fortunately, we were able to get this player." To Payton's point, ac- cording to ESPN Stats and Information, Estimé's 816 rushing yards after contact last season (60.9 percent of his total production) ranked 10th in the FBS. In addi- tion, his 22 runs of 15 yards or more was fifth nation- ally, as were his 3.9 yards after contact per rushing attempt. "I just want to keep going once I have the ball," said Estimé, who won't turn 21 years old until Sept. 6. "Overall, I know what I do is not going to be perfect, but I can aim for perfec- tion, find my own path." A constant inspiration for Estimé during his football journey came after losing his mother, Bertha Noisette, 10 years ago to sickle cell anemia. "She was just so strong, she would hide [her sickness]," Estimé said in a story for ESPN.com. "She was in and out of the hospital, but would still get to our games, still be there. The older I get, the more I realize how tough she really was." The Nyack, N.Y., native was raised by his aunt, Marise Fede, and his uncle, Gar- rick Noisette, and the budding NFL star is forever grateful for all they provided. "Our family is very tight-knit, so I think deep down I always knew I'd be OK," Estimé said of losing his mother at such a young age. "But without my aunt and uncle, I can say I probably wouldn't be where I am — all they did for me, all they sacrificed. "You don't have words for that. So, maybe when I play it comes out." Whether Estimé earns a starting spot during his rookie NFL season remains to be determined. But make no mistake, with his mother and family in his thoughts and prayers, the dedicated tailback will leave nothing to chance. "As a person, as a player, you want to give your all, not just say it, but really give it, every time," Estimé shared. "Because I know they gave their all for me, just to get me here. And I want to make the most of it while I'm here." ✦ FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Korbin Albert (Played at Notre Dame from 2021-22), MF, Paris Saint-Germain (Première League in Paris, France) The former Irish All-American came off the U.S. bench and scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics July 31 in Paris. In doing so, the Gray- slake, Ill., native became the first American woman to ever score her first international goal at the Olympics. Yared Nuguse (2017-22), Pro Distance Runner, ON Athletic Club The former Irish distance ace and current U.S. record holder in the mile run earned a bronze medal in the 1,500 meters in a time of 3:27.80 Aug. 6 at the Paris Olympics. It was the second Olympic appearance for the Louisville, Ky., native, though a quad injury kept him from competing at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Arike Ogunbowale (2015-19), PG, Dallas Wings (WNBA) The sixth-year WNBA star earned 2024 WNBA All-Star Game MVP honors July 20, after the former Irish legend set a game scoring record with 34 points (all in the second half). It marked the second time the Milwaukee native earned all-star game MVP honors, one of only four players in league history to win the award multiple times. A video of Estimé steamrolling a cornerback during the first week of training camp has become a sensation. PHOTO COURTESY DENVER BRONCOS Audric Estimé Making A Viral Splash