Ad Disclosure
Field storming after win over Clemson doesn’t result in new positive COVID-19 for Notre Dame, Brian Kelly says
Published:
Notre Dame upset number-one ranked Clemson last Saturday in South Bend and the student body stormed the field, surrounding the players in a mass of Navy Blue, Gold, and Irish Green as the coaches and athletes tried to escape to the tunnel, knowing a Covid outbreak across the roster could derail their sensational season.
The Fighting Irish (7-0) have already had one game postponed earlier this season and the school’s president, the Rev. John Jenkins, contracted the virus himself at one point and had to be quarantined.
Head coach Brian Kelly warned his team—while inspiring them with the vision of an upset win—that the field would be covered with students if they could slay the Tigers in ABC’s primetime game, and they did—and the students did not disappoint.
Any effort at escape contact immediately became futile as the field flooded with ecstatic students and fans. The good news, according to coach Kelly on an appearance on Mike Greenberg’s ESPN radio show, is that no one has tested positive for the virus. It appears to be a miracle aided along by the protective presence of Touchdown Jesus looking down over the field.
“It was the senior’s last game, because you know, class is out next week. We started early here because of COVID and we finish next week.” Kelly told Greenberg. “So, you have the entire student body, who have gone through what we’ve just talked about, it’s their last game. You know they’re so excited about the victory.
“Look, I mean, it was a very difficult situation to keep them from getting on the field. We don’t have the support staff and people because of COVID out there. We tried to keep Clemson safe, which we did. We tried to do the best we could in the circumstances. We’re just glad everybody is safe right now.”
Rev. Jenkins was left to play the disciplinarian to coach Kelly’s ‘kids will be kids’ perspective on what happened. The reverend lightly chastised students and reminded them to return immediately to the strict protocols regarding the virus.
“As exciting as last night’s victory against Clemson was, it was very disappointing to see evidence of widespread disregard of our health protocols at many gatherings over the weekend,” Jenkins wrote in a letter to students.
“Our football team showed us how to finish strong on Saturday night. Please finish strong by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands and completing your daily health check.”
Mark Schipper is a reporter, sportswriter, and aspiring novelist living in Chicago, Illinois.