Notre Dame Football: 10 best players in program history
George Gipp Career Statistics, 1917-1920
- Games Played: 32
- Carries: 369
- Rushing Yards: 2,341
- Yards per Carry: 6.3
- Completions: 93
- Pass Attempts: 187
- Passing Yards: 1,769
- Total Touchdowns: 21
- Interceptions: 5
- Notables: 1920 Consensus All-American
Immortalized by former President Ronald Reagan’s portrayal in Knute Rockne, All American, George Gipp was a talent never before seen in college football. He was a master of Rockne’s Notre Dame Box formation and would tear teams apart. He rushed for 2,341 yards and passed for 1,769 yards in his Irish career, tragically cut short following a bout with pneumonia and strep throat.
Gipp arrived in South Bend in 1917 and contributed right away, rushing for 244 yards and passing 40 yards. His numbers would sky rocket throughout the rest of his career with Notre Dame. In his senior season in 1920, Gipp rushed for 827 yards and passed for another 709 yards leading the Irish to a 9-0 season.
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He is forever remembered in college football lore for telling Knute Rockne on his deathbed to have his boys “Win just one for the Gipper”, a quote that will make the spine of anyone shiver with the weight of that statement. Gipper died on December 14, 1920, but he still remains the greatest player in Notre Dame history 98 years after he played his final game.