Words Truly: Here Come the Irish

Dear Friends,

Today is the day. The day no one thought was possible. Even Notre Dame fans silently scoffed at the idea that we would play for a National Championship after last year's season (and, frankly, the last 24-ish seasons). But here it is, despite the doubts, the ridicule, and the never-ending commentaries arguing for Notre Dame to be deemed irrelevant in college football. The Fighting Irish are playing in the National Championship. The Fighting Irish are uNDefeated. The Fighting Irish have arrived.

And yet, despite the undefeated season and #1 ranking, the doubts and ridicule remain. Notre Dame is going to get crushed. Notre Dame should be 9-4. Notre who? Notre Dame has no chance in this game. Well, my friends, as a dear ESPN analyst stated yesterday, Oregon has no chance in this game. Kansas State has no chance in this game. Heisman-winning Manziel has no chance in this game. Notre Dame does have a chance in this game. They are playing for a National Championship and they fought to be here, whether you like it or not.

Notre Dame is a team you either love or you hate. I rarely find anyone who falls in middle ground. Lately, I have been hearing a lot of complaints about people jumping on the Notre Dame bandwagon. First, I must defend our "Subway Alumni," those devout fans who have loved Notre Dame all their lives but have not attended the University. They do not deserve to be called bandwagon jumpers simply because they attended college elsewhere. Our following is much greater than many people realize. For those who have jumped the bandwagon and will place Judas' kiss on Notre Dame's cheek if we lose tonight, I hope you at least respect what our football program has accomplished this year. I tend to want to appreciate the support while we have it, as it is truly well-deserved.

Do not count the Irish out tonight. They are going to play their hearts out and I simply hope and pray for a spectacular game (okay, and an Irish win). However,no matter what happens tonight, the true Notre Dame fans will "love thee Notre Dame" until the day they die.

In honor of tonight's National Championship, I have searched Etsy for Notre Dame-related creations and have listed some below. Without further ado, GO IRISH!