George Gipp was an American college football player who played at the halfback, quarterback, and punter positions for the ‘University of Notre Dame.’ George was born and raised in Laurium, Michigan, and was interested in athletics ever since he was a kid. He became involved with many sports as a teenager, especially football and baseball. During his high-school years at ‘Calumet,’ he began playing baseball seriously, with the intention of making a career in the sport. He, however, was expelled from high school. However, he received a baseball scholarship to the ‘University of Notre Dame.’ His plans changed when he was spotted by the university football coach, Knute Rockne. Knute asked him to try his luck for the football team, and George made a place on the college team. He played for the university for 4 years, starting in 1917, and ended up becoming ‘Notre Dame’s all-time high scorer in average yards per rush for one season. He also averaged 38 yards a punt, with 21 career touchdowns. He passed away from pneumonia in 1920. On his deathbed, he delivered the famous line “Win just one for the Gipper” to his coach, Rockne.
