Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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116 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW on the watch list for the Wuerffel Award, a couple of honors given annually to the col- lege football players around the country who excel both on the field and in the community. "If I have to choose, I am most proud of Tyler's generosity and his humbleness," Shane Newsome said of his son. "To win the community service award among all Notre Dame athletes, that meant more to me than anything that he's done on the football field." Newsome admits that it's impossible to specifically remember each of his individual community and service endeavors, but there is one in particular that stands out. Locks of Love is a charitable organiza- tion that accepts donations of human hair to make wigs for children who are dealing with permanent hair loss because of cancer treat- ments and other medical conditions. And Newsome had plenty of lengthy locks to give. What a sight it was when this big strong football player allowed a young el- ementary school-aged girl with pediatric cancer to cut off his thick mane of curly red shoulder length hair — always a defining part of his physical identity — so it could be used for others in need. It was a touching and memorable mo- ment for everybody involved as the little girl stuffed the hair into baggies and smiled as she directed Newsome's attention over to the donation rack. "It's incredible that someone so young could understand so much about life, and af- ter everything she has been through, still have a smile on her face," said Newsome, who's Notre Dame's mission for its student-athletes centers not only on the physical (athletics) and mental (academics), but also the spiritual element that focuses on community service. Newsome embodies it in his daily life, including taking part in this Pink Zone event for cancer survivors. PHOTO COURTESY FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA The announcement before spring ball of becoming one of the 2018 Notre Dame team captains brought equal parts shock and awe to Irish fifth-year senior Tyler Newsome. The shock came from becoming the first to play only punter ever to be awarded captainship at Notre Dame. The awe came from knowing that earning such an honor by a team vote carries great responsibility. "I didn't expect it. It caught me off guard," said Newsome, who is joined by fellow graduate students Drue Tranquill, Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars on the 2018 four-man Irish captain crew. "It was very nice to know my teammates thought that highly of me and trusted me to be one of the guys." When Newsome arrived at Notre Dame in 2014, and throughout his time in the program, he never thought of himself any differently than the rest of the Irish players, despite playing the sometimes lonely punter position. While his teammates were all working together on one practice field, New- some was honing his skills essentially all by himself on another. But in the weight room and during the other off-field workouts, Newsome emerged as a strong leader, encouraging others and building their trust and respect through both words and deeds. "Offseason, he's the guy that holds all the players to the level, the standard of excellence that we have here at Notre Dame," head coach Brian Kelly said of Newsome. "And when you're not meeting that standard, he is going to take the load from you to make sure that it gets done. He's a remarkable teammate." "Tyler's work ethic is second to none," added Tranquill, now a two-time Irish captain. "He's going to bring the attitude that we want each and every day, traits he embodies without falter. "He brings guys along with him. He's everything you want in a captain." Kelly offered Newsome's work as a Spring/Summer Workout Accountability Team (SWAT) leader during the winter and spring workouts as an example. These eight Irish SWAT units are comprised of about 12 players each and compete against each other in everything from locker-room cleanliness, to academics, to community service, to strength and conditioning. Scores are kept, and the losing team each week earns an early morning Wednesday run. Newsome's team finished first and never lost, but he came in every Wednes- day to be there for that losing team, to support them, Kelly explained. "He wasn't there to yell at them, he was there to encourage them and that was recognized by his teammates," the coach noted. For Newsome, it's the only way he knows. On his back is a tattoo that reads: "Dream as if you'll live forever, and live life as if you'll die today." "I knew coming to Notre Dame I was going to have very limited time here," Newsome said. "I know that each morning I wake up that there are millions of people that would love to be in my shoes for one day. "I'd be a fool to let one day go by and pass it up." — Todd D. Burlage Newsome's Dedication And Leadership Are Rewarded