STL All Sports

When the immortal Knute Rockne was the most famous and greatest football coach Notre Dame ever had, his "Fighting Irish" commanded a loyalty from legions of rooters that was unmatched in the annals of college football. In proof of it, he would tell a favorite story of his Notre Dame football star who, after every game played, never failed to go to a particular priest for confession.

Since that priest was a bit absent-minded, he would chalkmark the number of sins confessed on his sleeve, in order to mete out the proper penance.

Once, that Notre Dame football star said in confession: "Father, I've done something sinful in our last game. I ran clear across the field and clipped a rival player."

"That was wrong, my son," said the priest, scribbling a chalk mark on his sleeve.

"Moreover, Father, when that player fell I deliberately kicked him in the ribs."

"How terrible, my son," said the priest. "Will you football players never learn true Christianity?" as he made four more chalk marks on his sleeve.

"And that's not all, Father," confessed the Notre Dame star. "When the referee wasn't looking, I gouged the player in the eye."

"Saints preserve us!" said the priest. "You're truly a disgrace to your fine football coach, and your college." And he chalked up several more marks on his sleeve.

"Tell me, son, what was the team you were playing when you committed your sins?" asked the priest.

"Southern Methodist," answered the penitent Notre Dame player. "Oh, well," beamed the priest as he rubbed off every chalk mark on his sleeve. "I guess boys will be boys."