Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/651219
UNDER THE DOME eight players on the team to start all 13 games that season. As a junior in 2015, Elmer started all 13 games again, giving him 30 over‑ all, which would have been the most among any returning Notre Dame player in 2016. Elmer enrolled early, made an im‑ pact early and also will be departing early for reasons beyond playing foot‑ ball. It's a decision seldom seen, but one Notre Dame can espouse when it comes to making the often noted "40‑ year decision." ✦ Steve Elmer's Statement On Feb. 16, through the University of Notre Dame's website, junior guard Steve Elmer — who will gradu- ate this May after having started 30 games — explained his decision to not return for a senior year of football nor pursue an NFL career. Here are excerpts: I know that for many of you reading this letter, this situation may sound a little crazy. After all, it's not every day that you hear about a Notre Dame starter, about to enter his final season, stepping away will- ingly from this most-revered game. There must be something wrong. Actually, everything is great. I have no problems with the coaching staff, no academic issues, and no violations of team rules that normally come along with a statement like this. My reasons for cutting my playing career short have nothing to do with any negative experiences at Notre Dame; in fact, I would consider my commitment to this exceptional university the best decision I have ever made. Playing football here was a huge challenge, but I wouldn't trade the experience of doing battle out there on that field with my brothers for anything. While playing football for Notre Dame has been nothing short of an honor, I have been presented with an incredible opportunity to pursue a career doing something in which I have great interest, and at a great company to boot. The experience of balancing Notre Dame's academic rigors with my football commit- ments has given me a great foundation for my next endeavor. I will graduate from Notre Dame this May and start my professional journey this summer in the Washington, D.C., area. … The question that inevitably comes up is: why don't you just wait until next year? My answer is pretty simple: the excitement I feel about the professional opportunity in front of me has helped me to realize that I'm just ready to be done with football. I've been playing this game for many years, and quite honestly my heart is no longer in it. I realize that this may be considered sacrilege to some, but it's truth. What I do love, and where my heart will always be, is the University of Notre Dame. When I was being recruited, one of the things I heard over and over was that it's the people at Notre Dame that makes it so special. I believed them at the time, but I would never know how true that state- ment was until I experienced it firsthand. … I can say with great confidence that no other CFP school develops young men academically, athletically, and spiritually the way Notre Dame does. Any player who chooses to come here can rest easy knowing that if they put in the work, they will leave very well prepared for the rest of their lives. … I'd like to thank Coach Kelly, his current and former staff, and my teammates for making this truly the experience of a lifetime. I'd also like to thank my family for its incredible and continued support, as well as the Irish fan base for making my time here truly special. It takes a village, and I sure am thankful for mine. Sincerely, Steve Elmer '16