Sign Value: As seen from Notre Dame and Penn State Football

When students walk into my classroom in a shirt and tie, or wearing their varsity jacket, I take notice. That simple gesture of coming to school in formal attire sends a message of its own: it's game day. I like that they make the effort to dress up and make it known that today isn't just another day. That tradition invites questions and sparks conversation. Who are you playing today? Where is the game? How are you feeling— nervous? Excited? How are the Lancers this year? Beat the Bells! 

Sign value goes a long way.

Earlier this week, I paused when I realized that one of my students—a varsity athlete— came to class sans tie. Fifteen minutes prior, I saw one of his teammates in game day gear. Somewhat surprised and slightly confused, I asked him, "Why aren't you wearing a tie?" He said "my coach doesn't care if we wear one or not." I don't know his coach well enough to find out if this is true. I replied "But you're a senior, and, you're a starter. Don't you care?" 

Sign value speaks for itself.

James Martin, SJ writes about sign value. "Sign value" refers to the meaning or significance a particular object, action, or event holds as a visible representation of a deeper spiritual truth or message. Sign value acts as a marker or indicator pointing towards more...something beyond. In a religious context, it's important for sign value enables people to connect with their faith through concrete symbols, tangible objects and more.

Fans loved who Charles Du included his name...

Catholic spirituality finds sign value in and outside of church—in the day to day as well as time and space which is sacred and holy. Sign value is important because we are always seeking to convene and connect, understand and make known who we are and what we value. Sign value allows us to anchor those truths. For an athlete to wear a tie or a varsity jacket might seem nominal, but it's a place to start—and that is not to be underestimated. 

Sign value can shape a community and define it. And good leaders recognize its import.

Every coach (and leader) needs examples to call out and credit. They need tried and tested ways that work. It helps to call on cases that demonstrate what they value and who they want to be. For instance, the Notre Dame football team does not put surnames of on the back of a player's jersey. The rationale for this tradition is that the team is important; the name of that team is what matters, and that can be found on the  front of the jersey only. 

Notice what the post-season brought...for one team.

To be honest, I don't like this practice. I don't want to look to a roster after every play. Sure, during the course of the season we learn the names and numbers of certain players— but there are so many athletes go unrecognized because of tradition. Sign value isn't always convenient or comfortable, but it speaks volumes. A coach can say that the team is what matters most, but what can they point to sends this message? What can they name that reveals this truth? Notre Dame football can include this simple gesture as one example. 

Notre Dame isn't the only program with this practice. The Nittany Lions of Penn State do the same. And during the Orange Bowl, I couldn't help notice, they kept this tradition whereas the Irish did not. (In both the Shamrock Series as well as post-season play, Notre Dame adds names to the jerseys. I have to wonder if the players love it. I know I do). I want to give credit where credit is due. Whether it's season or postseason—Penn State can say they hold sign value in the same way. To Coach Franklin, I would say: you—the team—know who you are and what you're about. I applaud you for that. This is not a criticism of Notre Dame; I appreciate both ways of holding sign value.

to their credit...

For Notre Dame, I can point to other examples that signify the importance of team over individual performance. In April 2017, the University installed its first major video display system in Notre Dame Stadium. What fans, players and coaches were privy to see changed dramatically. And yet, no one will see individual profiles our promos. The focus remains on the team. That's sign value of the digital kind. 

Whether is wearing a tie on game day or not wearing your name on your jersey, what we wear, carry, promote and portray has significance. It's not just something on the surface. It offers sign value, and sign value invites us to consider something more. This is the space the spiritual life is always inviting us into...

Photo Credits
Mix
Unrivaled
Du
No Names

The Philosphy of Being a (Notre Dame) Fan

The College Football playoffs have brought much more than a new format to the post season. This pathway to the National Championship has yielded incredible television ratings, surprising match-ups, exciting games and for me, questions about the philosophy of being a fan.

Given the time, mental energy, money and attention students, alumni and friends give to a team, it might be worth asking How does being an avid fan fit into living a good life? Fortunately, the University has given us a resource to help us answer this question.

Philosophy professor Meghan Sullivan shares that there are many ways that being a fan of a sports team … say a football team … is a good thing because it promotes the virtues that contribute to leading a meaningful life. Watch and see for yourself. 

What this short lesson doesn't touch on however is the how and why people root for a certain team. This fascinates me. For example, a woman at my gym said "I know you are cheering for ND but I want Penn State to win. My son-in-law's family went to school there. He didn't. Regardless, now we are pulling for them." I just listened. A colleague informed me he could not cheer for the Irish because his nephew plays for Ohio State. I said "oh your brother Brian has a son on the team? Wow!" "No," he said. "It's Brian's wife's brother's son." Although I wanted to say "that seems like a loose definition of nephew," I just listened. The truth is, fandom is totally up for grabs. It's up to an individual to decide who they like and who they don't, who they will follow and accordingly, who becomes a rival. I have followed what I believe to be a fairly conventional path to fandom. Others? not so much.

I am a fan of my local, Bay Area sports teams: Niners, Giants and Warriors. With the rise of professional women's sports, I anticipate adding the Valkyries to my dossier. I have grown up a fan of these squads and remain loyal to them as well as my high school and collegiate alma maters. 

I don't wear gear representing other teams or players. When I visited the Duke bookstore last January, I was reminded that I have no interest in wearing a shirt from a school I did not attend. I won't go so far as to say I will never do that, but in general I abide by this code of conduct. 

NLDS Game in 2014

I have cheered for other teams when my own teams are eliminated from post season play and as written about before, I found myself cheering for my rival—the Los Angeles Dodgers to beat the New York Yankees last fall in order to win a bet. #NotProud. The increased (and mostly positive attention) around Notre Dame has caused me to consider the path to fandom further. I have a personal ethic about sports fandom and wonder about it for other people. While Sullivan points out some moral quandaries that arise with regards to sports fandom, other questions remain. 

For example, I grew up in a family that loves Notre Dame football. My paternal grandfather was born and raised in South Dakota. A devout Catholic, he played the game at So Dakota State University and coached the sport for years. Choosing to follow Notre Dame—a Catholic university in the midwest was an easy choice. I'm grateful it was one that was passed down to me. Go Irish. 

My parents never pressured me to go to Notre Dame. When I was a student,, they were proud of me but it did not define them. They tell me they looked for me on television for four years, to no avail. Truth is, they were watching games long before my time in South Bend and long after—but I love this story nonetheless. 

My Dad and I outside of Farley Hall, senior year.

They were able to make it back to campus for one game a season. Yes, even in my day some parents and families made it back for every home game. Many live within driving distance and have their own friends and family to see on game day. I have however wanted to ask some parents: Do you or does your child go to Notre Dame? Fandom doesn't always reveal the best in me.

Fans can be judgy and territorial. I have thought to myself at other sporting events or experiences: this doesn't compare to "x." or If they only knew "y." While that may be true, Why not let fans have their own experience...and create their own memories? Our loyalties run strong and deep. They often reveal who we are and what we value. For example, I've never understood why a person—not from Oakland or Los Angeles—would choose to follow the Raiders. I mean, I know why...but I don't understand it. 

Nor do understand the fan who cheers for their grad school louder and prouder than their undergraduate institution. This seems to happen quite regularly with Notre Dame. It's strange to me  because undergraduate life is such a defining part of the Notre Dame experience. Its four years and students live in the dorms on campus. Sure I'm happy they like the Irish, but it feels different. For example, I have a friend who was enrolled in the one year program for his MBA. The man wears more ND/talks more about ND than he does about the University of Oregon and his four years in Eugene. If we had played the Ducks, that would have been really interesting. 

Another friend added that he cheers for Michigan because he got into grad school there. While that must have been an honor to be accepted to the program, I found that to be a loose tie to fandom. I said "well I was wait-listed at Duke. Do I cheer for them half the time?" His collegiate alma mater dropped its football program so he became a man without a college football team. He is not alone. He chose Stanford—a local school he did not attend, and he became a season ticket holder. I respect that. In short, I get it when your undergraduate school no longer has a football team or never did. Otherwise, this is an elusive ethic to me.

I will say, it's been a wonderful time to be a Notre Dame fan. SO many people are wishing us well and have delighted in the story of this season. Our head coach, Marcus Freeman is universally admired and respected. Truly, he is beloved. At times, it's felt disarming to have such great support. Yes, I still hear the unsolicited remarks like the one I heard on Friday. "Your team isn't very good. I don't think they have a chance against OSU. To me the real championship game was the semi-final." I didn't really know what to say. Even if I felt that way, I'm not sure I would say words like those to a fan about their own team. But, I sure as heck have questioned their credibility, let alone their sanity and potentially their humanity. Such is the nature of sports fandom. Furthermore, it's neve been easier to get dressed in the morning. I have a license to wear my ND gear and as the Alumni Association has called fans to do: #paintthetown green. Done and done.

I followed Dr. Sullivan's and Augustine's advice and put my loves in right order. I won't be in attendance at in Atlanta. I just wasn't able to find a ticket for under $1125 each for me and my crew. Those would have cost $1750 each with fees—and that was early in the week! Instead, I'll join others at the San Francisco Alumni Club's official game watch at Chief Sullivans—Irish fans of all types. We will wake up the echoes and cheer cheer for old Notre Dame, one and all. AND regardless of the outcome, we have already won.

We have won so much to have been a part of this journey. Thank you, Notre Dame. Thank you to my Grandfather for forging the fan connection. Thank you to the athletes, coaches and all who make football work. Go Irish.

Photo Credits
Green Fans
Coach Free and Athletes

Ricky Pearsall and Marcus Freeman Choose Hard

Sports fans know that Notre Dame football players hit a sign that says "Play Like a Champion Today" before entering the stadium. But Coach Freeman wants his team to see another sign. It's message if simple and it's clear: Choose Hard. It's a motto that does not pertain only to sports or to school at Notre Dame. It speaks to spirituality, too. 

I want a sign when you walk into this building that says "choose hard" cause when you walk in Notre Dame football, you got to have that mindset. We're going to choose hard today in practice. Choose hard today in meetings.  Choose hard today in a weight room. But we expanded that to what Notre Dame's about. Why? You're going to be challenged in the classroom. As a football player you're going to be in class with some of the most intelligent people in this world and it's difficult. Ultimately you're telling them you want this. Long term you want this. And so you got to choose it. Choose hard.

Given the success of the 2024 season, it's safe to say this team did choose it. After losing to NIU in what was its first loss as a top-five team against an unranked opponent since 2002—choosing hard wasn't just an option, it was necessary. The result? The Irish won the next eleven games and are looking to complete their mission—a hard one: to win the national championship. Let's hope that choosing hard wins.

In the spiritual life, it does too. How? What might that mean?

Look no further than Niners wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall. In an article entitled "Forgiveness wins," I came to learn that Pearsall, chose hard as he reflected upon the armed robbery attempt that nearly cost him his life. Kendall Baker of Yahoo! Sports reported:

Forty Niners rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest in San Francisco on August 31. The first round draft pick missed  six games from resulting injuries. On Monday, January 6 he was asked to reflect on the attempted robbery that upended his first yera in the league and nearly cost him his life.

His response: I don't know where [the kid who shot him] came from, what environment he grew up in, how he grew up. So I can't judge him as a man just based off one action that he made, as violent as it was.

God forbid him doing that to somebody else. I don't ever want that to happen. But for me … I have to be able to forgive him … At some point, I do want to talk to the kid [and] if I can create an impact on him in any way, I think that would be really big. I'd definitely be open to doing that.

If you struggle with forgiveness, you're not alone. Forgiveness is hard. Personally, I think it takes a lot of courage to forgive someone who has wronged you, hurt you and harmed you. It's very natural to hold on to anger. It's not unnatural to want to retaliate. But Jesus preaches otherwise. His message is loud and it's clear: love your enemies and forgive others.  

Pearsall is a devout Christian. I don't know him but wonder if his faith and its core values is what led to this beautiful response. I appreciate that he has empathy for this young man—he doesn't know his background or personal circumstances. I admire his humility—he doesn't want this to happen to another person. I value his wisdom—he admits forgiveness is something he must do.

Pearsall doesn't owe him anything. His desire to speak to him and his openness to that encounter is inspiring and it's hard. I think that would take courage, too.

“Everything in life requires courage. Whether it is playing football or coaching football; crossing the room to ask a woman on a date or rekindling a love that has grown cold; whether it’s your first day at school or your first day back at school after twenty years; starting a new business, battling a potentially fatal disease, getting married, struggling to overcome an addiction, or sitting humbly with your God in prayer—life requires courage. It’s a prerequisite. Courage brings us to life and makes everything else possible.  I think he could add forgiving another person and being forgiven does too.

Kelly concludes "So, what are we waiting for? You only get one shot at life. What would you do if you weren’t so afraid? Whatever it is, take one small step toward it today, then take another step toward your hopes and dreams tomorrow. Life favors the courageous. So, summon a little courage. You will be amazed what life will give you in return for a little bit of courage. "

Maybe that means you decide to "choose hard" at work or in a relationship. Perhaps it means you "choose hard" and forgive a person. It might be one of the toughest things for a person to to do...but it's a choice. Forgiveness does not mean that the wrong is right, or that a person ought not face justice and proper consequence. It does however mean that we can do something so much bigger than ourselves and choose hard, and choose to forgive. 

Photo Credits
Ricky P

Notre Dame Corner Back Christian Gray's Vision Board: Mission and Blessing

Although I have taken down my tree, wrapped up all the lights and come to terms with the fact that the Christmas season is over, the sights and sounds of a Happy New Year remain. The crowded gym is ample evidence that many resolve to exercise more and make this their healthiest year yet. Even seven days later, folks still greet one another with "Happy New Year." I have heard talk of one words themes and 25 goals for 2025. Thanks to Notre Dame cornerback, Christian Gray, I have one more task to offer in the zeitgeist of new year invitations and opportunities. Create a vision board—sports and spirituality style.

In Season 1, Episode 6: Win and You're In, Gray—a resident of Knott Hall welcomes the camera into his dorm room. After meeting his dragon lizard named Bahati—an African word for blessed—Gray states "I keep everything in my life blessed, and filled with God." That truth is evidenced in the vision board that hangs on the wall. He adds, "my mom and I make a vision board every year. This is all the vision that God has given me. I put it as my mission to live out this entire vision." 

That vision includes reminders and realizations, words, tasks, directives and more. The 2024 vision board includes the following:

• Smile
• Be nicer to yourself
• Create
• Serious Strength
• The Power of Restraint
• I turned my passion into a career
• Gold
• #1 in the Country
• A Calm aof Discipline
• A New Chapter
• Found
• Clean
• Brave Warrior 
• Encouraging
• Top 10
• Be ready
• 1 Corinthians 9

I wonder what vision God has given Christian for 2025. I wonder who supports him in this mission to live out that vision. I want to know in what ways does Notre Dame football—teammates, coaches and staff challenge, encourage, assist and augment that vision...that mission.

Christian Gray is a valuable contributor to a team that has clear goals and remains united in their mission: to win a national championship. He caught the first of two pick-sixes in the Irish win over USC. He has earned the nickname "The Franchise." He concludes his profile piece in Here Come the Irish with the words, "I'm up here. I'm starting now. I'm playing. It's just really a blessing." The audience sees him kneeling in prayer. I can't help but think of the blessing that his testimony has offered. I think we should all consider what vision God has for us in this new year. Let it be your resolution, your one word theme, your mission. Amen.

We Hold Both: An Irish Reflection on Events of the 2025 Sugar Bowl

Every era presents new challenges, new opportunities and new words! For example, we emerged from COVID with hard truths, lessons learned and a vocabulary that still lingers. Buzz words like amplify, pivot, leverage and optimize became daily directives a la Zoom. We learned what it means to "hold space" for people and we did. We still do. And early events of 2025 asked me to do something similar yet different: hold both.

In the early hours of New Year's Day 2025, Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck at a high speed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans LA. Fifteen people died in the process, including Jabbar, who was 42 years old. The loss of life, the injury, damage is utterly tragic. Deemed an "act of terrorism," this put local, state and federal authorities on alert and in action. Necessary decisions were made to keep the public safe and "out of harms way." That term is not COVID jargon. It prompted a prudent, solvent course of action: to postpone the Sugar Bowl. The College Football quarterfinal playoff game was scheduled for the following day

Twenty hours later, following an extended moment of silence in the pregame ceremonies, the contest between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame began. The Fightin' Irish, with a season record of 11-1 and ranked #7 prevailed over the #2 team— winning the game 23-10. As my friend and classmate Alex Montoya '96 wrote, "It has been a year of exorcising ghosts, from the specter of the NIU loss to winning our first major bowl game since 1994. There is one more left, of course: winning the national championship in football for the first time since 1988." Victory tasted bittersweet. Here's why...

I can't speak for the people who were at the game, but among my family of fellow ND fans and friends, we all were aware that within a 48 hour period, there were conflicting emotions: shock, awe, and sadness followed by joy, elation and jubilee. And, we know the truth and reality that one event takes precedence over the other.  No athletic contest can account for the loss of lives and the damage has been done. Nor should it. Ever. And yet....we hold both.

We hold both. We can and we do. We have and we will. Now. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

I would like to be so bold as to proclaim that as Catholics, to hold both is part of our tradition. I say this because it is evidenced through Catholic ritual and tradition. It characterizes the sentiments and even the structure of them. For example, when a loved one dies we gather as a community of faith for the Rite of Christian Burial. This includes a Requiem Mass as well as the Rite of Committal. A dear friend, recently shared "The Work of Christmas: Choir Edition," a reflection on this tradition whether its for 100 people or one other person. Difficult, yet important and... beautiful. 

Today, many people opt for just the celebration of life, but the exercise of walking down the aisle and publicly grieving is an important process. It is a path we all must take, a walk that is unique to no one. We can't make it alone. To ritualize it makes it possible.

You need not be Irish to know that what follows a funeral isn't just the burial. Loved ones, family and friends gather for food and fellowship. For Catholics, much more than a "fifth" of whiskey or a box of Franzia is in store. We share stories and post pictures. We celebrate. We remember. We hold both. 

Though many young Catholics are opting to marry outside of the Church, I find there is a wisdom to the ritual and rite of Holy Matrimony. The ceremony in the Church speaks to the solemn, sacred and sacramental nature of this decision and commitment. It is not without cost. It is a significant day in the life of two people, their family and friends. The formality of the church service—the profession of nuptial vows are to be heard and supported by many more than just two people. We can and should pray for one another—for the two who have become one and their future. Following this service, the bride and groom, the wedding party and all those in attendance partake in a ritualized celebration. Some cultures, other traditions make the most of the reception—as they should! We hold both.

Before the game, the chaplain of the Notre Dame football team, Father Nate Wills, C.S.C. gives to a player a medal of a Catholic saint. He offers a reflection on the significance of this holy person's life and what their example might offer for each athlete on game day. The day after the Irish victory, Father Nate shared with Irish faithful a little bit about the game day saint and that we can continue to pray to St. Sebastian for all athletes and the people of New Orleans. 

Holding today’s medal is a player who had an incredible play at ND’s 23-10 Quarterfinal CFP victory over Georgia. Jayden Harrison is a graduate transfer from Marshall and ran back the 2nd half kickoff for a 98 yard touchdown!

An elite soldier, courageous martyr, and faithful Christian, St. Sebastian is among the most beloved saints in the history of the Church. Born in the late 3rd century, he was a soldier in the Roman army who became a Christian. 

Sebastian secretly aided fellow Christians, providing them with support and encouragement during Emperor Diocletian’s brutal persecution of Christians. He was eventually discovered, arrested, and executed with a barrage of arrows. Miraculously, he survived and was nursed back to health by a fellow Christian, St. Irene.

After he recovered, Sebastian neither cowered in fear nor abandoned his faith. Instead, he boldly confronted Emperor Diocletian, urging him to stop persecuting Christians. This act of courage ultimately led to his second arrest and execution, where he was beaten to death with clubs around the year 286 AD.

St. Sebastian’s legacy is one of resilience and unwavering faith in the face of adversity. He is depicted on this holy medal as a young man tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. He is the patron saint of athletes and soldiers. 

May St. Sebastian’s resiliency and faith inspire the people of New Orleans who are still enduring the aftermath of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s. May the Lord bring the victims into his loving arms, comfort their family and friends, protect our police officers and soldiers, and bring peace to our hurting world. 

We hold both: sports and spirituality. Through sports and spirituality, we learn that an athlete held a medal who honors the patron saint of athletes—knowing that one hand is heavy and the other is not. One is solemn. One is celebratory. This same medal is used to remind us to pray for the protection of the people of New Orleans as well as the players on the field. Don't pivot. No need to leverage one hand at the expense of the other. We have created space. We hold both.

Photo Credits
Medals
Tears
Kneeling
Signage