“During summer camp and before the rest of the student body arrived back on campus, Coach Lou Holtz told us to write a letter to our parents thanking them for all the sacrifices they made that allowed us to be at the #UniversityofNotre Dame and play for the Irish.

A Letter to Our Parents: The Sacrifices That Led Us to Notre Dame

During summer camp at the University of Notre Dame, before the rest of the student body had returned to campus, Coach Lou Holtz made an impactful request that would resonate deeply with every player on the team. He asked us to write a letter to our parents, thanking them for all the sacrifices they had made that allowed us to be at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world—Notre Dame—and to wear the Fighting Irish uniform. It was a moment that brought clarity and perspective, a reminder of all the invisible labor behind the visible success, and the selfless love and dedication of our parents.

As student-athletes, the journey that led us to Notre Dame was not just a personal one. It was a collective endeavor, built upon the efforts of our families, who made innumerable sacrifices to help us achieve our dreams. Each of us had different stories and experiences, but they were all tied together by the same central theme—our parents, in their own ways, gave everything they could to ensure we had the chance to pursue a future at Notre Dame. To be asked by Coach Holtz to take a moment to reflect on that and express our gratitude was something that went far beyond sports. It became a chance to acknowledge something deeply personal and profound: the role of our parents in shaping who we were, both as athletes and as individuals.

The Foundation of Sacrifice

The sacrifices that our parents made were not always visible on the surface. They weren’t the kinds of things you could easily spot when watching a game on a Saturday afternoon or reading a media profile of a player. The sacrifices were often quiet and sometimes even unnoticed by those who weren’t close to the family. They were the quiet moments when our parents stayed up late working multiple jobs to support our academic pursuits, the countless hours they spent shuttling us to and from practices, games, and school events, and the quiet understanding they offered when we failed, all while ensuring that we never gave up.

At its core, the act of raising a child—especially one with dreams of playing college football at a school as demanding and prestigious as Notre Dame—requires a great deal of sacrifice. For many of us, that sacrifice meant our parents putting their personal aspirations and comforts aside to focus on our future. It meant them forgoing their own leisure time to ensure we had everything we needed to succeed, even when the journey ahead seemed daunting.

Early Mornings, Late Nights: The Invisible Labor

Growing up, I didn’t realize how many early mornings and late nights my parents endured to help me chase my dreams. The hours my mother and father spent waking up before the sun to prepare me for practice or to drive me to school were never discussed or celebrated. To me, it was just part of the routine. They were simply there, always present, always involved. It wasn’t until I was older, looking back with a different perspective, that I fully appreciated just how much of themselves they gave up to make my journey to Notre Dame possible.

As a young athlete, I often focused only on the outcome—the wins, the accolades, the offers from colleges, and eventually, the day I signed my letter of intent. But I didn’t see the behind-the-scenes work. I didn’t always understand the weight my parents were carrying—balancing their jobs, finances, and family life—just to make sure I could compete, practice, and study without distraction.

My father, for instance, worked long hours in a factory, often arriving home late at night, only to wake up early to take me to the next big game. My mother, a teacher, would still manage to assist me with my homework or make sure I had the right meals to keep my body fueled for performance, all while managing the household. They made it seem easy, but I know now that it wasn’t.

Their sacrifices weren’t limited to material things—they were emotional as well. They poured love, encouragement, and understanding into me, helping me navigate the stress of school, the pressure of being an athlete, and the doubts I had about whether I was good enough to make it to the next level. Every time I felt discouraged or unsure, they were there with the right words or the quiet presence of support. They never let me see them worry, but I know that they did. Their worry was often rooted in wanting to give me the opportunities that they themselves might not have had, and I realize now how much that meant.

The Role of Faith and Education

When Coach Holtz asked us to write these letters, it made me reflect on how much Notre Dame means to both me and my parents. Notre Dame isn’t just a football school; it’s a place where academic excellence, personal growth, and faith come together. For many of us, this school represents not only athletic success but also the culmination of our parents’ belief in the power of education and faith.

My parents always instilled in me the importance of education. While I knew I had a special talent on the football field, I also knew that I needed to excel academically if I wanted to go to a university like Notre Dame. From a young age, my parents showed me that sports could be an avenue to something bigger, but that academics had to be a priority. They worked with me on my studies, ensuring I stayed on top of my grades while balancing sports. For them, education was the pathway to opportunity, and they believed that going to a school like Notre Dame would provide me with both the academic and athletic foundation needed to succeed in life, no matter the outcome of my sports career.

Faith, too, played a central role in my parents’ approach to my development. My family has always been rooted in strong Catholic values, and Notre Dame’s faith-based environment was something my parents cherished. They knew that beyond the X’s and O’s of football, I would be challenged to grow spiritually and morally at a school like Notre Dame. The blend of rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and a deep connection to faith was something that resonated deeply with them. They weren’t just sending me to a university to play football; they were entrusting me with an education that would help me become a better man, one who would honor their sacrifices and carry those lessons with me for the rest of my life.

The Impact of Coach Holtz’s Request

When Coach Lou Holtz made the request for us to write a letter to our parents, he made us stop and reflect on the things that truly matter. In the whirlwind of football, where our worth was often tied to our performance on the field, we had a moment to remember that the foundation of everything we had achieved was the love and sacrifices of our families. That moment of reflection was transformative, not just because of the content of the letter, but because it forced us to pause and consider all the unseen work that made our success possible.

Writing the letter was a humbling experience. It was a chance to acknowledge, in a tangible way, the people who had made the most profound impact on our lives. For some of us, it may have been the first time we truly expressed our gratitude for all the things our parents had done behind the scenes. The act of writing allowed us to put our appreciation into words—words that we might not have expressed in person as often as we should have.

For me, the letter wasn’t just a formality—it was a reminder of how lucky I was. My parents never sought recognition for their sacrifices; they simply did what they had to do. And yet, in that moment, it became clear to me that I could never fully repay them for everything they had given up to help me achieve my dreams. But I could acknowledge their sacrifices and honor them in the best way I knew how—by working hard, being a good teammate, and giving everything I had on the field and off.