Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE and music, all of whom let their sons handle their own school choice, but all of whom also believed Notre Dame would be the best possible landing spot for football and life. Sophomore wide receiver Corey Robinson is the son of legendary NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson. Sopho- more receiver Torii Hunter Jr. is the son of nine-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star representative Torii Hunter. Senior cornerback Josh Atkinson is the son of former Oakland Raiders All- Pro defensive back George Atkinson. Suspended senior wide receiver DaVa- ris Daniels is the son of Phillip Daniels, who played 14 seasons in the NFL and now serves as the Washington Red- skins' director of player development. On the rock 'n roll scene, Jesse Bon- giovi is a walk-on cornerback and the son of legendary singer Jon Bon Jovi. Ironically, "Livin' on a Prayer," an '80s rock anthem and one of Bon Jovi's most recognizable hits, has been played by the Notre Dame Marching Band at ev- ery home game since before Jesse was even in high school. On the rap music scene, Notre Dame has extended a scholarship offer to Cordell Broadus, a standout wide re- ceiver from the 2015 recruiting class and the son of famous rapper Snoop Dogg. And on the Notre Dame famous fa- ther family tree, Irish senior offensive lineman Conor Hanratty is the son of legendary Irish quarterback Terry Hanratty, who led Notre Dame to the 1966 national championship and was a consensus All-American in 1968. Terry Hanratty proudly admits that the ac- complishments Conor has made in the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Busi- ness weigh much more importantly than his son's achievements on the football field. "Notre Dame is a four-year invest- ment and experience, it's not a step- ping stone to just jump into profes- sional football like you see at so many other schools," said Terry, who after graduation from Notre Dame played eight years in the NFL and then be- came a successful stock broker. "This is a school that gives you every oppor- tunity for success and prepares you for the rest of your life." And perhaps Hanratty's assess- ment best sums up the common and tangible vision each of these famous fathers hold for their sons. But even more importantly, how these fathers understand the long-term benefits of letting their sons find their own way and make their own decisions — and sometimes their own mistakes. "We all love our dads for what they do for us, what they did as athletes, and the enthusiasm they have for us as ath- letes," Corey Robinson said. "But most of all, I think we love the fact that they have let us be our own individuals." A terrific testament when it would be so easy for this unique group of fathers to simply let their fame and fortune take care of their sons … and every- thing else. ✦ Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com