www.mybaycity.com September 3, 2006
Columns Article 1261

Charlie Weiss Could Replace Jesus on the ND Library Mural

10-Year Contract Extension in 2005 Might Include 'Touchdown Charlie' Option

September 3, 2006
By: O. J. Cunningham


The "Touchdown Jesus" Library Mural at the north end of Notre Dame's football stadium
 
Could football coach Charlie Weiss be destined to replace the Savior on the ND Library mural?

Word on Notre Dame Avenue in South Bend is that if Notre Dame wins a National Championship in 2006, the world-famous Notre Dame Library mural - Touchdown Jesus - might be in line for a "face lift."

I have learned from un-named, inside sources that a provision of Charlie Weiss' 10-year unprecedented contract extension last year in mid-season might contain an option for Weiss' countenance to replace the Lord's on the Notre Dame landmark if the Irish go undefeated and claim a National Championship.

But, Saturday night's 14-10 Irish win over Georgia Tech was anything but impressive.

I'm sure that every "Maize and Blue" and "Sparty" football fan had brief but fleeting fantasies of a Notre Dame loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday night - the first Saturday in September 2006.

But thanks to the "helmet to helmet" call that led to Notre Dame's winning score, the Irish are 1-0 after a Saturday night heavyweight fight with Georgia Tech.

The Irish are expected to win this year. Georgia Tech was faster on defense that the Irish were at blocking the Yellow Jacket defenders.

But in the end, it was the Irish defense that proved to be the unexpected difference in the final outcome - the Notre Dame defense held Georgia Tech to just 71 second-half yards. (Almost makes me forget the 617 total yards allowed by ND's defense in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State last January.)

The 2006 questionable ND defensive secondary shut down Tech's (6'5", 235 lbs) Calvin Johnson, who had 95 first-half receiving yards, but only 11 in the final two quarters.

With Georgia Tech now a notch on their 2006 belt, the Irish now face, in succession, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue.

If they are going to make it to Glendale, Arizona on January 8th for the National Title Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame will need to be 5-0 as they enter the easier, latter part of their schedule (Army, Navy, Air Force . . . no, not the Coast Guard.)

And let's not forget, at the end, it will a John David "Booty" call lurking at USC in November.

And there's always the chance Weiss might end up on the ND Library wall.

Andre Agassi - Live Long & Prosper


The Andre Agassi marathon with Marcos Baghdatis last Thursday ranks with the Connors-Krickstein, McEroe-Björn Borg, Lendle-Chang and the Sampras throw up matches as one of the all-time memorable battles at the U.S Tennis Open.

I miss them all - Connors, McEnroe and now Agassi.

The results of Sunday's match with Benji Becker seemed inevitable from the beginning. Watching Agassi limping through the pain of the day made my own back ache. Becker won. So What!

There was a little girl in the stands. She was holding a big sign. The little girl's sign said it all . . . Legends Live Forever . . .

Andre, Thanks for the memories.

0202 nd 03-24-2024

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