Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome when a rare form of migraines paralyzed him for the second straight August. As a junior, Spond returned to the field after regaining his motor skills and became an unsung hero for the Irish defense as a starting outside linebacker. This time he spent more than a month in rehab trying to regain his strength and decided the long term risks of playing again outweighed the joy he gets from playing. "'Don't forget about me,' is what I told them. I want to be with this team as much as I can." danny spond "I sat down with Coach [Brian] Kelly and Coach [Bob] Diaco. I told them the situation and future plans for me, playing-wise," said Spond, who spoke to the media last week for the first time since ending his playing career. "Then in the next sentence, 'Don't forget about me,' is what I told them. I want to be with this team as much as I can." Spond stayed with the team as a player-coach, helping freshman Jaylon Smith jump into the vacated linebacker position and providing some inspiration to the rest of the defense. Kelly said Spond has yet to miss a practice or a meeting since moving to the new role. "He's an amazing young man," Kelly said. "His coaching has been more of a communicator and translator, if you will, of information." Spond was one of the team's speakers at a pep rally in Dallas prior to playing Arizona State. He made such a strong impression that several alumni offered him a job later that night. Spond, who plans to graduate in May, said he's currently weighing options for his future. Coaching, government work and even the next President of the United States are all possibilities, he said. ATTENTION IRISH FANS Packages are available for all Notre Dame home games during the 2013 season 2013 HOME GAMES Aug. 31 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 23 Temple Michigan State Oklahoma USC Navy B.Y.U ALL HOME GAME PACKAGES INCLUDE *Game Tickets endzone to the 40 yard line. *Two Night Hotel *Great Customer Service Please visit www.diamondtravel.com for complete details 1.602.870.9197 DIAMOND TRAVEL 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS