Football Player. Legendary Notre Dame and National Hall of Fame Football Player (elected 1951). He was turned into a national legend when actor Ronald Reagan played him in the 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne, All American." Born and raised in Laurium, Michigan, he was a natural athlete, and played track, hockey and baseball in high school. Accepted to Notre Dame University in 1916 for baseball, he was scouted out for the Football team by famed coach Knute Rockne, when Rockne saw him drop kicking a football 60 to 70 yards just for fun. A four-year varsity member, Gipp excelled in athletics, and set a number of records at Notre Dame. Gipp led the Fighting Irish in rushing during his last three seasons (1918, 1919, and 1920; his career mark of 2,341 yards was a national record for 50 years, until broken in 1978 by Jerome Heavens). Despite his football success, his first love was baseball, playing Center Field for the Irish Baseball team, and he planned to join the Chicago Cubs after graduation. While playing Northwestern University in November 1920, in the last few seconds of the game, Gipp fired a 55-yard pass to Norman Barry, who went on for a winning touchdown. After that game, Gipp, who had a severe cold and strep throat, advanced to raging pneumonia. Hospitalized in South Bend, Indiana, he died just three weeks later, on December 14, 1920. While on his deathbed, Knute Rockne visited him, and although the exact conversation was never recorded, Rockne later reported that the dying Gipp had said, "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. When things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I will be then, Rock, but I'll know about it, and I'll be happy." Eight years later, on November 10, 1928, after losing two of its first six games, Notre Dame was playing undefeated Army (West Point), when Rockne delivered one of the most remembered pep-talks ever, telling the team about Gipp's last words. Although Army was considered a powerhouse team and favored to win, the inspired Irish went on to beat Army 12 to 6. Just after Irish player Jack Chevigny scored a touchdown with a one-yard plunge, he jumped up and yelled, "That's one for the Gipper."
Football Player. Legendary Notre Dame and National Hall of Fame Football Player (elected 1951). He was turned into a national legend when actor Ronald Reagan played him in the 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne, All American." Born and raised in Laurium, Michigan, he was a natural athlete, and played track, hockey and baseball in high school. Accepted to Notre Dame University in 1916 for baseball, he was scouted out for the Football team by famed coach Knute Rockne, when Rockne saw him drop kicking a football 60 to 70 yards just for fun. A four-year varsity member, Gipp excelled in athletics, and set a number of records at Notre Dame. Gipp led the Fighting Irish in rushing during his last three seasons (1918, 1919, and 1920; his career mark of 2,341 yards was a national record for 50 years, until broken in 1978 by Jerome Heavens). Despite his football success, his first love was baseball, playing Center Field for the Irish Baseball team, and he planned to join the Chicago Cubs after graduation. While playing Northwestern University in November 1920, in the last few seconds of the game, Gipp fired a 55-yard pass to Norman Barry, who went on for a winning touchdown. After that game, Gipp, who had a severe cold and strep throat, advanced to raging pneumonia. Hospitalized in South Bend, Indiana, he died just three weeks later, on December 14, 1920. While on his deathbed, Knute Rockne visited him, and although the exact conversation was never recorded, Rockne later reported that the dying Gipp had said, "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. When things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I will be then, Rock, but I'll know about it, and I'll be happy." Eight years later, on November 10, 1928, after losing two of its first six games, Notre Dame was playing undefeated Army (West Point), when Rockne delivered one of the most remembered pep-talks ever, telling the team about Gipp's last words. Although Army was considered a powerhouse team and favored to win, the inspired Irish went on to beat Army 12 to 6. Just after Irish player Jack Chevigny scored a touchdown with a one-yard plunge, he jumped up and yelled, "That's one for the Gipper."
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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