Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became
Most fans see the sweat and grit of Division I football—the practices, the injuries, the discipline. What they don’t see is the other full-time job: being a student at Notre Dame. Balancing two worlds, these young men had to push through pain and pressure while chasing academic success at one of the nation’s top universities.
Echoes From The End Zone: The Men We Became tells the stories of 25 former Notre Dame players. Their time in South Bend shaped them in ways far beyond football. They learned discipline, humility, and perseverance—lessons that carried into every chapter of life that followed.
Some pursued professional football. Others faced career-ending injuries. Many sought new paths—building families, returning home, or chasing childhood dreams. Each had to redefine themselves once the roar of the stadium was gone.
What they discovered was a different kind of victory: the ability to succeed in business, faith, family, and community. Their stories remind us that the real measure of a Notre Dame student-athlete isn’t just what happens on the field—it’s what they do after they leave it.
In every ending, they found a beginning. And in every story, there’s inspiration.
Marv Russell’s thoughts on “The Men We Became”
“I’m honored to be included in Lisa Kelly’s Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became. As a former student-athlete and football player at Notre Dame, I see that most fans have little understanding of what it takes to be a successful student and player at an academic and sports powerhouse like ND.
Of course I loved playing football and wanted more than anything to play at ND: but just because I wanted it didn’t make it less challenging and demanding to be successful both on and off the field. Notre Dame sets a high standard for student-athletes, but in doing so it instills values and discipline that helps players transition to life off the field. I owe a lot to the late Mike DeCicco and Father Bill Touhy – the academic advisor and head of Campus Ministry – for setting player standards then being there to support us.
I played football under impressive coaches – my personal leadership mentor Ara Parseghian and the great Dan Devine: and I played with a tremendous group of guys who have remained lifelong friends and inspirations. Reading the stories of the other 24 players featured in Lisa’s book reinforced to me what I already knew:
Notre Dame was a difficult decision to make, but it was the right decision. I played on a National Championship Team, and I got an education that has taken me further than I ever dreamed growing up in a small town in Western PA.
Thanks for telling our story Lisa: I hope it inspires future generations of student-athletes to chase their dreams, and helps fans understand just how hard it is to be successful on the field: and off the field.”
Marv Russell
A few words from Coach Holtz …
“The men featured in this book are special individuals and represent all that is great about Notre Dame. These men are significant and they have strived each day to make an impact and difference in all things that they touch. They were – and as far as I’m concerned remain – Notre Dame student-athletes and I’m proud to have been a part of their lives. Lisa, thank you for your work and sharing with the Notre Dame Family what you so appropriately have named, “Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became.”
Lou Holtz
