Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546639
52 SEPT. 26, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE M any Minnesota Vikings faithful accused safety Harrison Smith of selfishly delaying his offseason deci- sion about whether to retire or return for a 15th year with the franchise. While weighing his options, the 37-year-old skipped all offseason workouts and didn't return to the team until Sept. 8, only five days before the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers. "I think I kind of knew [I was com- ing back] the whole time," said Smith, who played 26 snaps off the bench in the 39-22 comeback victory over the Packers. "I just didn't know exactly the timing, and sometimes you just find yourself in a helmet." Some media members and fans ac- cused Smith of holding the franchise hostage during his offseason decision time. But with the equity built from the loyalty, love and production he's shown to this franchise, perhaps the former All-Pro deserves the luxury to call his own career shots. The 2012 first-round draft pick (29th overall) entered this season as the all- time leader among Vikings defensive backs with 1,180 career tackles and fourth with 39 career interceptions, one short of tying Ed Sharockman for third place on the franchise list. "I just feel like I got a little more to give, help some guys out, still make some plays, see what I can do," Smith said. Smith is tied with defensive lineman Alan Page for the third-most NFL seasons played by Notre Dame alumnus, behind long snapper J.J. Jansen, who is currently in his 18th season, and Hall of Fame wide receiver Tim Brown, who played 17. Make no mistake, despite the fact that Smith missed all organized team activi- ties during the offseason, his at-home workouts are reported as being "nuts" and productive. Smith is listed at 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds this season, the same weight he played at in 2025. And while Smith may have lost some foot speed during his NFL career, he compensates with experience and the countless career les- sons the six-time Vikings team captain (2020-25) wants to share. "It's not just about me," Smith said. "I still need to show up, do my job, and help us win games. But I'd like to be able to kind of permeate some of the things I know throughout the group." QUITE A DEBUT With 1 catch for only 2 yards in a backup role, New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon didn't ex- actly stuff the stat sheet in a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sept. 9. But given the circumstances surrounding the touchdown and the difficult road he traveled to reach this point in his football career, it's a catch worth recognizing. On his first career NFL reception, Raridon scored a touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. It was also the first touchdown of the 2026 NFL season and it gave New England a 7-0 lead. With two ACL surgeries — one in high school and one at Notre Dame — Rari- don seemed like a surprising third-round pick for the Patriots last spring. But at least through one game — and with one forever touchdown memory — Raridon's professional career path seems on track. "I'm feeling amazing, no effects at all," Raridon said of any lingering injury concerns. "I've done a lot of hard work to rehab that as well, but my body feels amazing and I'm ready to get to work." ✦ FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Jeremiyah Love (Played at Notre Dame from 2023-25), RB, Arizona Cardinals, NFL The 2025 Doak Walker Award winner made his NFL debut Sept. 13, recording 11 carries for 41 yards and scoring his first career touchdown on a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Love's first NFL score gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead on the way to a 26-14 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Julian Love (2016-18), S, Seattle Seahawks, NFL The Seahawks safety and team captain notched 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 interception in a 13-10 victory over the Patriots Sept. 9 in a rematch of last season's Super Bowl. Love intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the second straight game (the first coming in the Super Bowl last February). Michael Mayer (2020-22), TE, Las Vegas Raiders, NFL The two-time Irish All-American caught 6 passes — the third most in a single game during his NFL career — for 32 yards in a 27-13 win against the Dolphins Sept. 13. It was Mayer's first game since signing a three-year contract extension Sept. 12 that's worth $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed. Ageless Harrison Smith Returns For A 15th NFL Season I R I S H I N T H E P R O S Smith entered this season as the all-time leader among Minnesota defensive backs with 1,180 career tackles and fourth with 39 career interceptions. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA VIKINGS