Seniors say goodbye to their `family'
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Outside looking in
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.
One question left Irish defensive coordinator Greg Mattison speechless Saturday.
How do you say goodbye to these Irish seniors?
The strong man's eyes filled with tears. He drew a deep breath, pursed his lips tightly together and couldn't answer. There were no words to describe the bond between Mattison and his seniors who played their last game.
Lost within the questions about Bob Davie's last game was acknowledgement that this was the last game for the heart and soul of this football team.
Grant Irons will never wear the blue and gold again.
Rocky Boiman will never remove his helmet and hold it up to the student section.
Javin Hunter will never make a clutch catch on third down to keep an Irish drive alive.
"You never really think about it until it's here, until last night, you never thought that guys like Grant Irons, Anthony Weaver and Rocky Boiman aren't going to be here next year," junior linebacker Courtney Watson said. "They are the captains and the people who are the leaders of this team."
These seniors played injured. They played sick. They played when there was nothing to play for but pride. And in their last game, they brought home a victory.
"In the past when we have gone out with a loss, it kind of gave the off-season a sore note," Boiman said. "But to go out with a victory, especially with the way the season has gone, it feels good."
After the Stanford game, Weaver said that losing the game hurt but what hurt the most was not being able to get a victory for his teammates. Weaver is considered a top-10 NFL draft pick by ESPN. He has a long football future ahead of him. But all he really wanted was to get a win for his teammates. He wanted their hard work to result in a victory.
"Those kids all year, that [defensive] front has played their hearts out," Mattison said. "That's because of the leadership of a guy like Tony Weaver. They followed his leadership and played their hearts out."
They played their hearts out because they really are a family. A lot of people talk about a family atmosphere in different clubs or organizations. But for this Notre Dame football team, that family is real.
"I can't even tell you how many times I've cried thinking that this was going to be my last game with these guys," Weaver said. "I love these guys. I would cut off my arm for these guys."
There are four captains on this team — Boiman, Weaver, Irons and David Givens — but every senior on this team is a leader. Tyreo Harrison finished the game with a six tackles and a cast on his thumb. But those "bumps and bruises" like a hyper-extended thumb are worth it because the Irish brought home victory — the first season-ending victory the seniors have ever achieved.
"It felt great because I know before the season, the seniors talked about how we never won out last game of the season," Terrance Howard said. "It felt good to go out there and get our last win of the season especially against a team that is going to a bowl."
"I feel great right now," Weaver said. "I am just glad that I can get on this bus and ride back two hours with all these guys."
Even much-criticized senior cornerback Clifford Jefferson went out with a bang Saturday. After years of boasting in interviews after practices and giving up touchdown on Saturdays, Jefferson finally got his predicted two interceptions.
"I remember a couple of years ago I said I would average two picks a game and I guess that came true," Jefferson said with a smile.
But this victory was bittersweet for the seniors. It was a victory but it was also their last.
"It kinda hurts that I can't play with these guys any more," Jefferson said. "These guys have been with me through all the thick and thin times. I basically grew up with these guys."
Notre Dame will find a new head coach, but replacing these seniors and their leadership will be difficult. They love Notre Dame. They love football. They will be missed.
"It's been emotional. It's been a fun ride, I am just sorry it has to end," Weaver said.
Contact Mike Connolly at Connolly.28@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Sports Stories for Monday, December 3, 2001
