Paul Hornung, ND’ original “golden boy”, is the namesake for college football’s newest honor: “most versatile player”. What does than mean? Well, to give you a proper picture, the Paul Hornung Award would have gone to either C.J. Spiller, or ND’s own Golden Tate if it were awarded this year (a player that can help their team the most in a large variety of ways).

Hornung is one of college football’s all-time greats (think the original Rocket Ismail, plus he could throw, and play defense), the only player special enough to win the Heisman on a losing team, so his name belongs right up there with the Biletnikoffs and Nagurskis.

However, he might have even more fame for the statement “ND must lower admissions to get the black athlete and win”. Technically, he may be right on lowering admissions, he just made the mistake of using the qualifying term “black”. (That’s what we call racial profiling.)

So, occasionally in his honor, the Blarney will bring you Hornung’s Words of Wisdom, or technically true statements that are worded wrong, and perhaps show some prejudice or some kind of political incorrectness.

Paul Hornung’s Words of Wisdom For 10-26-10:

“Notre Dame lacks esteem as a program. That’s what losing does. Navy handled Notre Dame like old-time sailors used to handle Vietnamese hookers. The sailors were definitely the boss.”

Wow. I started loving Notre Dame football at the tail-end of the Holtz era, so I am no stranger to disappointment. Actually, I don’t even know what it’s like for Notre Dame to be Notre Dame. Losses never surprise me. And I mean losses to anyone. A loss to a convent full of nuns wouldn’t surprise me (especially if the game went into overtime). But, a blowout loss to Navy? Never thought I would see the Middies totally dominate the Irish. On to the things I think:

1.) Puke. Barf. Upchuck.

2.) When the BK and the Irish coaches were supposed to be constructing the defensive gameplan, did they clown around in the offices instead, and light each others farts in the style of the boys of Jackass?

3.) Stop. The. Fullback. Dive.

4.) I have long agreed with the national media that the Irish talent level is not up to par with the truly elite teams. Fix the talent problem, fix the Irish. Well, it’s deeper than that. Something in the program is rotten to its very core, because there is no way that a service academy should make Notre Dame look like they play with a roster full of walk-ons. Navy was smarter, stronger, quicker, faster, well, they did everything better.

5.) I think Notre Dame needs to upset either Utah or USC, to show recruits “what could be”. A magic moment can turn the tide for a program. So can a disastrous moment. I believe Ty Willingham’s era was ended prematurely when USC exposed the whole Irish season as “smoke and mirrors” at the end of the 2002 season. It’s amazing how one event can influence momentum.

Brian Kelly adopts a “next man in” policy as far as injuries go.

It is a mantra that all coaches adhere to, and they must due to the nature of the game. Impact leads to injuries. Sudden starts, stops, and cuts that lead to muscles and ligament being stretched like rubber bands do as well.

So, when Kyle Rudolph has tendons torn away from a bone, Tyler Eifert must step in.

When Jamoris Slaughter has a bum ankle, Zeke Motta must step in.

Theo Riddick ankle problems as well? C’mon John Goodman, and switch over T.J. Jones.

Taylor Dever hammie? Matt Romine must fill in.

Mike Floyd hamstring too? Dust off the cobwebs Duval Kamara.

Brian Kelly (just like every other football coach) can’t bitch and complain. Injuries happen, and they must move on. They can only expect that they have recruited/developed enough depth to survive the injuries. No excuses.

Also, perhaps coaches like Kelly can move on without complaining because at least football injuries make sense.

Unlike the poor schmuck who nearly lost an eye getting a lap dance.