Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Blair Kiel: 1961-2012 home while preparing for Easter dinner. According to the Bartholomew County Coroner's office, B Former Irish quarterback dies on Easter Sunday BY LOU SOMOGYI lair Kiel, the first rookie quarterback to start at Notre Dame since the NCAA permitted freshman eligibility in 1972, died April 8 in Columbus, Ind., at a relative's the cause of death was ruled natural. Kiel, 50, reportedly did suffer from Crohn's Disease. The uncle of current Notre Dame freshman quarterback Gunner Kiel, the elder Kiel was a "five-star" prospect in his own day — as a quarterback and punter — while leading Columbus East to a 1979 state title. Kiel was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the country by Parade magazine. The quarterback derby was wide open that August, when head coach Dan Devine announced he would retire at the end of the season. Already the starting punter, Kiel was inserted at quarter- 48 of 124 passes (38.7 percent) for 531 yards with no touchdowns and five interceptions his freshman year, but his role was to be a game manager while tailbacks Jim Stone and Phil Carter combined for more than 1,800 yards rushing and the defense set a school record by not allow- ing a touchdown for 23 straight quarters. Under new head Kiel completed only back for the first time in his second college game in a special shotgun package — with the Irish trailing Michigan, 27-26, back at their 20 and only 41 seconds left. Kiel helped lead the Irish down the field to set up Harry Kiel was the first rookie quarterback to start at Notre Dame since the NCAA permit- ted freshman eligibility in 1972. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS Oliver's famous 51-yard field goal as time expired. After helping the Irish rally to victory in their next game, a 26-21 win at Michigan State, Kiel took over as the starter that year while the Irish opened 9-0-1 and briefly climbed to No. 1, before eventually losing to USC and national champ Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Honoring Uncle Blair No. 5 in this year's Blue-Gold Game. Blair Kiel wore No. 5 at Notre Dame from 1980-83. After attending the April 11 funeral of his uncle, the younger Kiel was at the next practice two days later, even though head coach Brian Kelly told him to take as much time off as needed. "I told him, 'Hey, my uncle wouldn't like that at all,' " Gunner Kiel said. Notre Dame freshman quarterback Gunner Kiel switched from No. 1 to coach Gerry Faust in 1981, Kiel had a rocky roller-coaster ride the next three seasons. He was supplanted as the starter in 1981 when Tim Koegel took the throttle for several games during a 5-6 season, yanked in 1982 while temporarily get- ting replaced by Ken Karcher, and in 1983 he was replaced by freshman Steve Beuerlein as the starter by the fourth game. Each time, Kiel eventually won his job back. Among his highlights during that time were: • A 96-yard touchdown pass — the longest in school his- tory — to Joe Howard in a 1981 victory versus Georgia Tech. • A 6-1-1 start in 1982 before a shoulder injury sidelined him for two games. He helped propel victories against No. 10 Michigan, No. 17 Miami, and No. 1 Pitt and quar- terback Dan Marino. The 31-16 conquest of the Panthers featured his fourth-quarter 54-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass to Howard that put the Irish ahead for good. • Kiel finished his career with a flourish when Faust I ever practice, and I'm thinking of him," he said while his tears flowed freely. "He was supportive, he was always there cheering us on, patting us on the back, telling us to keep your head up and have fun. Enjoy the game and at the end of the day, football is supposed to be fun … just go there slinging and whatever happens, whatever the outcome is, keep your head up high and don't sweat the small things and go to the next game. "The last time I saw him was I came home for a weekend and I was in all my Notre Dame gear. He came up and he gave me a big hug, and told me he's proud of me." 8 MAY 2012 "… He's going to be there every step of the way in my career and the rest of my life. I thank God for him and always being there for me and always pushing me. "I have a picture of him in my locker now, so he'll be there every day started him in the Liberty Bowl against 9-2 Boston College and quarterback Doug Flutie. Kiel completed 11 of 19 passes for 151 yards in the 19-18 Irish victory. For his career, he completed 297 of 609 throws (48.7 per- caneers in 1984, and his ability to pass and punt kept him on pro rosters for several years. He played for Tampa Bay in 1984-85, Indianapolis in 1986-87 and Green Bay in 1988, 1990 and 1991, throwing 193 career passes in the 25 games in which he appeared (three starts). He also was listed on Canadian Football League rosters — Lou Somogyi BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED cent) for 3,650 yards with 17 touchdowns and 32 intercep- tions, and added 164 yards rushing and five touchdowns. His 40.67 career punting average was second only to Hall of Fame member Bill Shakespeare's 40.71 from 1933-35. Kiel was an 11th-round pick of the NFL Tampa Bay Buc- in Saskatchewan (1989) and Toronto (1992), and an Arena Football League roster with Cincinnati (1993).