By Darren Lippe
While we are memorializing Kobe Bryant & his tragic death, I recall another famous figure from the sports world who passed away too soon, Knute Rockne.
Knute Rockne, regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, helped build the great Notre Dame football program into a national powerhouse.
Knute was born in Voss Norway in 1888. His family immigrated to Chicago when he was 5 years old. After working in the post office for 4 years, he had saved enough money to attend Notre Dame University. He was a very good football player, earning All-American honors in 1913.
After graduating from college with a degree in pharmacy, Rockne briefly worked in the pharmaceutical industry. However, he was always drawn to football. With the encouragement of friends, he played on several pro football teams like the Akron Indians & the Massillon Tigers. His primary position was end.
He then returned to Notre Dame to work as an assistant coach & became head coach in 1918. During his 13-year career as head coach, Notre Dame went 105-12-5 & won 3 National Championships. His winning percentage was an astonishing .881, & his teams would go undefeated in 5 seasons.
Rockne recognized the value of showmanship & worked hard to develop the popularity of Notre Dame & its football program. One of his more famous players was George Gipp, who died of strep throat & pneumonia shortly after being elected as Notre Dame’s first All-American. It was on his hospital bed that George told Rockne to “win just one for the Gipper.”
Knute’s 1924 National Championship team included the legendary “Four Horsemen” backfield (Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, & Elmer Layden) & the offensive line nicknamed the “Seven Mules.”
In 1928, Notre Dame was tied at halftime with Army 0-0. Rockne shared the story of George Gipp’s last words on his deathbed: “I’ve got to go, Rock. It’s all right. I’m not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are going wrong & the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they’ve got & win just one for the Gipper. I don’t know where I’ll be then, Rock. But I’ll know about it, & I’ll be happy.” Notre Dame would win the game 12-6.
Rockne died in a TWA plane crash on March 31, 1931. He was on his way to California to consult on a movie, The Spirit of Notre Dame, which was going to commemorate his legendary career. He had stopped over in Kansas City to visit his sons who were in boarding school. The cause of the crash is not confirmed, but many speculate that a freak storm popped up to cause the plane’s rapid descent. Jess Harper, who had coached at Notre Dame just prior to Rockne, lived nearby & was asked to identify the body.
Rockne’s untimely death shocked the nation. King Haakon VII of Norway, knighted Rockne & sent an envoy to the funeral. More than 100,000 people lined the streets of the funeral procession & the service was broadcast live on network radio across the United States & parts of Europe.
There is now a granite monument near Matfield Green, Kansas marking the area of the plane crash. At Matfield Green Service Area, you can also see a memorial bust honoring Knute Rockne’s life.
