Blue and Gold Illustrated

June-July 2014

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/311901

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 110 of 113

different teams. He finished his career with 50 touchdown passes and 76 in‑ terceptions. Today he is an esteemed entrepreneur in California in the wine making field. Former Irish head coach Charlie Weis predicted that Quinn — who propelled a 19‑6 record in 2005‑06 and finished in the top five of Heis‑ man Trophy balloting both times while shattering the Notre Dame passing records — would rank with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the three best quarterbacks in the NFL. However the first‑round 2007 se‑ lection (No. 22 overall) played in only 24 games the past seven sea‑ sons, was waived by three different teams last year and has thrown 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his NFL career. This March, Quinn married USA Olympic gymnast Alicia Sacramone. Like Mirer, he still has health, wealth, family, charity and happiness while epitomizing what it means to be win‑ ning in the game of life. 9. PAUL SEILER (1964-66) — A relatively unheralded prospect from a small Iowa town, Seiler was a starting tackle for the 1966 national champs and the second‑highest drafted offensive line‑ man from Notre Dame the past 50 years (behind George Kunz's No. 2 selection in 1969). The No. 12 pick was chosen even before Irish teammate and future nine‑time Pro Bowl player Alan Page (No. 15). A leg injury sidelined Seiler virtually all of his rookie year, and then in 1968 he enlisted in the military while his team, the New York Jets, won the Super Bowl. He was released before the 1970 season before playing three years at Oakland and making one start. 10. BOB CRABLE (1978-81) — Rounding out the position groups is what many might consider Notre Dame's greatest linebacker ever. Crable is the school's all‑time leading tackler with 521, a two‑time consensus All‑American (one of 16 in school history) and still the lone Fighting Irish linebacker to be drafted in first round (23rd overall pick). He did play six years in the NFL, but knee injuries limited him to 43 starts. A ferocious hitter and competi‑ tor, it seemed ironic that his life after football included teaching religion at his beloved Cincinnati Moeller High School. ✦ Quarterback Brady Quinn twice finished in the top five of the Heisman Trophy balloting, but after being chosen in the first round of the draft he has struggled in the NFL. PHOTO COURTESY CLEVELAND BROWNS

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - June-July 2014