Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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52 OCT. 31, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE Y ears had passed since Baltimore Ra- vens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton had a chance to showcase his talents in front of his family and friends back home in Atlanta, let alone make the kind of game-winning splash he did in a 30-23 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Oct. 11. In fact, the last time the former Irish All-American was expected to play at "The Benz" goes back to his time at Marist High School in Brookhaven, Ga., when his War Eagles were set to play there in a high school championship game. But weather concerns moved the game elsewhere and kept Hamilton from playing on the "big stage." About nine years later, Hamilton, 25, finally had his chance to compete inside the stadium. And the perennial Pro Bowler who's regarded as one of the best safeties in the NFL made good when he intercepted a pass against his hometown Falcons to preserve the seven-point win and help move his Ravens to 4-1 this season. To set the scene, Baltimore scored a touchdown on its first possession in overtime to take a 30-23 lead over the Falcons. On Atlanta's ensuing offensive drive, Hamilton intercepted a first-down pass around midfield to seal the win and hold the Ravens' spot atop the AFC North Division. "Pretty sweet moment to end it like that," Hamilton said of his first inter- ception this season. "We have to go into next week, but I'm going to cherish this for a little bit." Hamilton's game-winning heroics happened in front of about 500 of his closest family members and friends, per BaltimoreRavens.com, who begged the 2022 first-round draft pick for tickets to this long-overdue homecoming. "Everybody is hitting me up," Ham- ilton joked about the pregame ticket crunch he faced. And when asked after the game about his motivation for making the biggest play of his season, Hamilton joked that NFL players don't receive time-and-a- half pay after four quarters. "Defense needed somebody to make a play," Hamilton said. "I was telling [teammates] in the locker room that we don't get paid for overtime. So, we're out here for free and I was trying to get home as quick as possible." Already making a strong case for a fourth All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in only his fifth NFL season, Hamilton through five games this year ranked sec- ond on the Ravens with 39 tackles and led the team with 4 passes defended. IRISH IN THE WNBA Although no former Irish players reached the WNBA Finals this season when the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries squared off for the title, Notre Dame alumni may have collec- tively enjoyed their best WNBA regular season in league history. Five former Irish were named WNBA All-Stars, six ranked among the top 20 in scoring average and one other fin- ished second in the league in rebound- ing. Following is a list of top Irish per- formers during the 2026 WNBA regular season, with per-game averages. • Sonia Citron (Played at Notre Dame from 2021-25), Washington Mystics: Ranked 16th in scoring (16.8) and 15th in assists (4.4). • Marina Mabrey (2015-19), To- ronto Tempo: Ranked sixth in scoring (20.8) and 19th in assists (3.7). • Kayla McBride (2010-14), Min- nesota Lynx: Ranked 12th in scoring (17.6). • Olivia Miles (2021-25), Minne- sota Lynx: Ranked eighth in scoring (19.8) and seventh in assists (6.0). • Arike Ogunbowale (2015-19), Dallas Wings: Ranked 20th in scoring (15.3). • Jessica Shepard (2017-19), Dal- las Wings: Ranked 11th in assists (5.3) and second in rebounding (11.1). • Jackie Young (2016-19), Las Ve- gas Aces: Ranked 10th in scoring (18.9) and fourth in assists (6.8). FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Eli Raridon (Played at Notre Dame from 2022-25), TE, New England Patriots, NFL The NFL rookie enjoyed his best day in the league with 5 receptions on 5 targets for 57 yards — all season and career highs — in a 45-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders Oct. 11. Through four games, the 2026 third-round draft pick had 8 catches for 101 yards with a 2-yard touchdown catch on his first NFL reception Sept. 9. Spencer Shrader (2023), K, Indianapolis Colts, NFL The third-year NFL veteran enjoyed a terrific individual game despite a 34-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Oct. 11. The 2024 undrafted free agent made his only extra point and went 5 of 5 on field goals, with a long of 57 yards, to score a game-high 16 points in the Colts' loss. Xavier Watts (2020-24), S, Atlanta Falcons, NFL The second-year NFL star recorded a season-high 10 tackles and added 1 pass defended in a 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens Oct. 11. Through five games, the 2025 third-round draft pick led the Falcons with 34 tack- les and had added 2 passes defended, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. Ravens Star Kyle Hamilton Enjoys A Great Homecoming I R I S H I N T H E P R O S Hamilton sealed Baltimore's 30-23 overtime win at Atlanta with an interception in front of family and friends on hand to watch him play in his hometown. PHOTO COURTESY BALTIMORE RAVENS