UNSCRIPTED: Fort Wayne Ink Spot Visits Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M Football Game

Unscripted: By Keith Edmonds FWIS Contributing Writer

From the moment you set foot on the University of Notre Dame campus and begin to explore the grounds, you can feel a sense of anticipation—something special is bound to happen. And if you happen to miss that moment, rest assured, there will be many more opportunities to experience the magic.... ~Keith Edmonds

Anyone that knows me and my appetite for sports knows that there are 3 ABSOLUTES in my sports fandom that HAVE TO and WILL occur. I am a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Minnesota Vikings, and probably the biggest fan (at least in my mind) of NOTRE DAME “Fighting Irish” FOOTBALL! I will watch and support these teams until my final breath is taken from me, and call me crazy but isn’t that what being a TRUE sports fan is? I’ve attended games where my teams played and had pretty decent seats for years until... last weekend...I had the opportunity...to sit...in the PRESS BOX... at the University of Notre Dame! I can’t even DESCRIBE the experience, but I’ll try...

When I arrived on campus that day, sunlight poured over the iconic “Golden Dome” and “Touchdown Jesus” overlooked us all out from the library wall, greeting every visitor with silent majesty I said, “This is what I came for!” The air buzzed with laughter and shouts, coming from every direction as fans in Blue and Gold Irish jerseys clustered together, with the Maroon/White A&M fans. Adding to the excitement as I pushed through the crowd was the delicious aroma of food calling me from thousands of tailgating fans along with Nelson’s Chicken, (as always) grilling in the heart of campus, tempting me to join in the pre-game feast. Every sense was alive—sights, sounds, scents—drawing me deeper into the electric atmosphere that makes a Notre Dame football game truly unforgettable.

Imagine my surprise when I went to secure my media credentials and take my seat figuring that I’d end up in the middle of the crowd with the rest of the 80,000-plus fans, yelling myself hoarse for the Irish to take down those Aggies from Texas. But when I got to the gate and they said my seat was actually up in the press box on the 9th floor, I was like—wait, seriously? You’ve got to be kidding me! lol! The whole vibe was completely different for me. Every usher, ticket taker, sports information director, and anyone else affiliated with ND football was FIRST CLASS.

I walked to my seat and found a spirit towel, a seat with my name on it, and an ND Media Guide filled with more information than I needed. The excitement hit me all over again as I looked around and realized that many of the country’s top writers were there covering the game. At that moment, I thought, “Touchdown Jesus is truly smiling on me!” That feeling of being recognized, even in a small way, filled me with gratitude and a sense of belonging to something legendary.

Before the action on the field began, we were treated to a pre-game meal—chili, chips, and hotdogs—(which was already more than I expected). After enjoying the pre-game spread, I was pleasantly surprised by the halftime meal. Grilled chicken, Caesar salad, and baked mac-n-cheese awaited us, and I couldn’t help but think, “This is the VIP treatment folk talk about!” The entire experience felt surreal, and I savored every moment, knowing just how special it was to witness Notre Dame football from this incredible vantage point.

The game was amazing; both teams battled fiercely from start to finish. It was clear early on that whichever team had the final possession would likely win. The crowd was electric waves of blue and gold filling the stands, with pockets of maroon and white from Texas A&M supporters. The stadium was rocking with the sound of marching bands blaring fight songs, and every touchdown was met with thunderous cheers that bounced off the stone all around the stadium! Chants of “Go Irish!” rose and fell and were answered occasionally by spirited shouts from the Aggie fans.

The game and the atmosphere was tense as the clock ticked down. Both teams had chances to seal the victory, and every play was met with gasps and groans from the stands. When the dust settled and Texas A&M edged out Notre Dame, 41-40, it was heartbreaking for the Irish. But honestly, how could I see it as a true loss, given everything I’d experienced that day? From mingling with fans of both teams, to soaking up the history of Notre Dame’s campus, every moment was unforgettable. This was more than just a game—it was a memory I’ll hold onto as an Irish fan, and one I hope to relive again soon.

Oh, I forgot to mention, there was also a post game meal of Jimmy Johns and Pizza! Man! I could get used to this writing stuff! Lol!