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Gipp contracted strep throat in Notre Dame“s last game of the 1920 season against Northwestern. The infection worsened during the following weeks, and Gipp was confined to hospital bed at the St. Joseph“s Hospital in South Bend. He was visited by Rockne in the hospital on the evening of December 13, 1920 - just hours before he died at the age of 25. But not before extracting a promise from his coach of some distant and unknown Notre Dame team.

Knute Rockne was desperate. His 1928 team, decimated by injuries, already had lost two of it“s first six games. Three powerful teams - Army, Carnegie Tech and Southern California loomed on the schedule before the season (the worst in Rockne“s illustrious coaching career) would mercifully draw to a close. Rockne knew that if his Ramblers could upend Army - winner of six straight games - in Yankee Stadium, a losing record could be averted. His critics were claiming he“s lost his touch; the magic was gone.

But Rockne knew better. The week of the game he quietly told his neighbours that Notre Dame would beat Army. Rockne had a plan. His team might not be able to win on talent, but Notre Dame would win on emotion and spirit. Rockne would deliver what would later become the most famous pep-talk in sports history. After pre-game warm-ups, Rockne huddled his players in the locker room. They laid down on Warld War I blankets that covered the cold, clammy floor. Rockne waited until the room was silent.

He lowered his head before speaking. He began slowly - telling the team about George Gipp, a Notre Dame player who had died during his senior season eight years ago. Although none of the players had known Gipp personally, each and every one of them had heard of his exploits. They knew Gipp had been the greatest player of his time. Rockne who had been at Gipp“s bedside, repeated the young athlete“s last wish.

Gipp“s last words was when he said to Rockne: "I“ve got to go, Rock. It“s allright. I“m not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they“ve got and win just one for the Gipper. I don“t know where I“ll be then, Rock, but I“ll know about it, and I“ll be happy."

Rockne continued: "The day before he died George Gipp asked me to wait until the situation seemed hopeless - then ask a Notre Dame team to go out and beat Army for him. This is the day, and you are the team". "There was no one in the room that wasn“t crying", recalled line coach Ed Healey. "There was a moment of silence, and then all of a sudden those players ran out of the dressing room and almost tore the hinges off the door. They were all ready to kill someone".

Army didn“t have a chance. After falling behind 6-0 in the third period, Notre Dame scored two touchdowns and held off a last-chance rally by the Cadets for a 12-6 win. Jack Chevigny tied the score at 6-6 with a one-yard plunge. As he picked himself up in the end zone, he jumped up and shouted: "That“s one for the Gipper".

The emotional Chevigny was helping Notre Dame drive towards it“s final and winning score in the last quarter when he was injured. Rockne was forced to take him out and replace Chevigny with Bill Drew. Reerve Johnny O“Brien, a willowy hurdler for the track team, took Johnny Colrick“s place at left end. The Irish were 32 yard away from the goal line. Left halfback Butch Niemiec took the ball, looked downfield to O“Brien and flung a wobbly pass over an Army defender. O“Brien hauled the ball in on the 10-yard line, squeezed past two tacklers and dove into the end zone for the winning touchdown. O“Brien never played a down of football again, but "One-Play O“Brien" was a legimate hero to Irish fans.

As O“Brien scored, the Notre Dame bench erupted in woops and hollars. The injured Chevigny cried on the sidelines : "That“s one for the Gipper too". Even Rockne showed his satisfiction with the play. "You could see a great, big smile on his face", said quarterback Frank Carideo. "He was happy when things created during the week, were used to perfection in the ballgame".

"In 1923 when we played Princeton, as a matter of fact that was the first time Notre Dame had ever played Princeton, and it was the week after our Army game in New York, and Princeton had an awfully good ballclub, Rock was most anxious to not only to make a good showing against Princeton but to beat them. They had not a makeshift, but not to stirtely build lockerroom. And in this lockerhouse there were only two rooms.

One for Princeton and one for the visiting team. Just as Rock was ready to go to work and give us a charge, a pep-talk, before this game, Bill Roper who was the coach of Princeton, and a great psychologist and a great talker, went to work on his Princeton boys:

After the Army-Notre Dame game in 1924 there was one man determined to get in to see a player. The manager couldn“t do anything to stop him so he called for Rockne. At first Rockne tried to explain: "No one is allowed in here while the boys are dressing. There will be plenty of time for visiting after they leave here".

That wouldn“t do. The man wanted to get in. He tried to shove his way through the door. That was too much for Rockne. "You get out of here or I“ll throw you out", he said, but the shoving went on. Then Rockne grabbed him by the seat of the trousers and threw him down a short flight of stairs. Before locking the door after him, he called: "You get the rule now? I said no one gets in and when i say a thing, I mean it. So don“t try that again".

"In 1922 our team was desimated by graduation. We had 9 -------------- on the first team, in fact we were so young-looking that one sportswriter said that he bet there weren“t 2 safety ------- in all that luggage that we had. We were down to play a great Georgia Tech team that had“nt been defeated on their homefield in 9 years. We were to be defeated by 35 points because of our inexperience. It was our first big game. We were boys just out of high school.

But Rockne came into that dressing room before the gametime and he had a great number of telegrams in his right hand. He said they were from all over the country. In his left hand he held a lone wire. He said it was from his poor sick little boy Billy who was critically ill back in hospital in South Bend. And then he read the wire. The lips began to tremble. A lump came to a throat. He says I want daddys team to win.

Well, we loved Rockne so much that we didn“t let him finish his talk, we knocked him down, we went through a bolted door, we got out on to the field ten minutes before the gametime, waiting for Georgia Tech to give us this terrific licking. Which they did! We made twenty goalline stands that afternoon, but we took a terrific physical beating from this, heavier, older Georgia Tech team. But we won the game 13-3.

I remember going to the depot that night from the hotell we were that we stayed. We looked like a parade, because we walked down in the middle of the street. And the reason we“d walk in the middle of the street was because of these terrific charliehorses we had. We couldn“t step up and down of the curvings. We had a terrible trainride back to South Bend. We couldn“t sleep and they switched cars every stations. And when we got back to South Bend the next morning because of this wonderful terrific upset victory of ours.

There were ten thousand people there, at the depot ready to great us. And as we stepped down at the long steps of the train, with our faces wrapped in pain, whom do you think was the first one we saw in the frontline? You“re absolutely correct, it was that poor sick little boy Billy. Looking like an ad for some breakfast food, and we were all basket cases.

Another version of this story:
It was in mid-October 1922 and Notre Dame was going to play Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Usually road games held no terror for Rockne, but on this coming Saturday in Atlanta several somehow more clouded set of circumstanses were presented.

For the most part up til now, the Irish had played most of their opponents in the Midwest, with one and another trip to the East. They had never ventured into the Deep South, but Rockne had set his mind to get truly national recognition for his team and his school. Cannily, he began to schedule maneuvers which would take him to different parts of the country. The South would be first, The West Coast would follow.

But the Deep South did present some sticky psycological problems. Notre Dame was a catholic school and Rockne was conserned with the anti-Catholicism still surfaring in the Deep South. The Ku Klux Klan was in it“s renaissance, with huge membership drives and widespread political influence. The Clan didn“t like Catholics and, by extention, had little affection for Catholic football teams. Especially a team as powerful as this one coming from South Bend. Atlanta happend to be the Klan“s national headquarters. And Rockne knew this when he scheduled Georgia Tech. But he was willing to take his chances. He hoped the antagonism would be held to a minimum. It was still a nettlesome thing in Rockne“s mind.

There were other problems too. This trip was the longest a Notre Dame team had ever taken. It took two days by train. There was at this time some nagging injuries in the squad, and Rockne feared the long trip could mean more "injuries", such as stiff muscles and the loss of timing.

At the time Notre Dame was to play Georgia Tech they had a great team. Rockne had worked six or seven sophomores into his starting line-up, which was more than any Notre Dame team had ever fielded. And this was single platoon football, with no freshmen eligible. But this team had tremendous potential.

Don Miller and Jimmy Crowley recalls that Saturday with cherished pleasure. Miller tells: "By now, Rock was becoming known for his pre-game pep-talks. We knew we were going to get the full treatment in that locker room in Atlanta. But Rock was somehow subdued - for him. He called off the names of the guys who were starting, then warmed over the things we“d been working on all week, and that was about it. Somehow it just wasn“t Rockne. It was as though he had something else more important on his mind".

Jimmy Crowley tells this from that day: "As he often did, Rock took out a few telegrams he“d received before the game. He always read them to us. The telegrams could be from the mayor of South Bend, or the president of the alumni association, people like that. Always the same go-get-%92em-good-luck business. He read these; then, almost as an afterthought, and kind of thenderly, he pulled one more out of his pocket. We were all staring at it..."

"I“ll never forget the way he unfolded that one", continues Miller. "Sort of hesitantly, and I“d have sworn his hands trembled a bit".Crowley said: "It seemed he couldn“t make up his mind whether he really wanted to read this one, but he did".

"We all knew Billy, of course", Miller went on, "He was Rock“s little four-year old, a tow-headed kid who often came to watch us at practice - a great favoruite of the players. Well, I tell you, it really got us. Rock didn“t say another word, just put the telegram back in his pocket and walked out. We burst out after him, onto the field, yelling and cursing our heads off. We tore that Georgia Tech team apart and beat “em 13-3. They never had a chance".

"That“s not the end of the story", Crowley added. "We got back to South Bend on Monday and were met at Union Station by the usual crowd of fans. And who do you think was the first one to come rushing up, whooping and hollering? Little Billy Rockne. You never saw a healthier kid in all your life. He hadn“t been in a hospital since the week he was born. But the guys on the team never considered they“d been taken in by Rock. There wasn“t even anything to forgive. We were used to Rock“s drama - the real and the theatrical - and we“d find out over the couple of years that Rock would use any ploy he could think of to get the most out of us, whether it was at practice or in a game".

"Nobody ever said anything to Rock about the telegram", Miller said, "and he didn“t bring it up on his own. It just wasn“t nesessary, at either end. You either knew Rock or you didn“t. Those of us who played for him knew him". Later the same season, the four backs who was destined to become the most famous backfield would appear together for the first time. Two years later they got the name "The Four Horsemen".

Donald M. Hamilton, now a lawyer in Colombus Ohio, was a football player at Notre Dame during Knute Rockne“s college days. As an under graduate he was also an assistant coach in 1912 and remembers Rockne throughout his career. He tells:

"The report that one time after he“d lost a ballgame, they rode the train someplace, and for the purpose of, and stilling a little more of the Notre Dame spirit into these players. He“d put up a photograph of each mans oponents in the sleeper so that that fellow could look at him last thing before he went to sleep, and first thing when he woke up in the morning".

During his last two years as a coach, 1929 and 1930, Rockne“s teams were undefeated. Winning over the greatest teams in every part of the country. One of the stars of those teams were half-back Marty Brill, who now lives in California tells this story:

"This was in 1929, thats when I got to know Rockne very well. Rockne was a great psycologist. He“d have a couple of fellows that I was trying to beat off for a right-half back, and we would be blocking on the ends, and he would particulary pat the other fellow on the back once he“d have him man to man saying: "Manny that“s a great block". And whenever I was block it was never to good. And he would go: "You should do better". Of course every time he did this, would make me madder, and he knew that, and I worked harder".

Marty Brill remembers this story from the 1929 season and tells: "I“ve often been asked how did Rockne get the team in such a mental condition that they“d go out and win all their games. As a matter of fact, Rockne used to tell us he wasn“t a psycologist, that it was just a matter of common sense.

We were playing Carneghie Tech in 1929 at Pittsburgh. That was the year Rockne had the blood clot in his leg, and he was forbidden by the doctors to be at that game, but against the orders, he“d go on the train and came to Pittsburgh. Of course, when we were in the dressingroom before the game, we didn“t even know that Rockne would be there, and just a minute before the game we were sitting around, like just before every game, and everybody was quiet, sitting on the bench, waiting for "Tom Lee", the assistant coach to come in and tell us the name of the starting lineup and what us to do.

I will give you an example of the psychology that he used. He didn“t go into a long speech about do this, do that and do the other thing. All he said was: "I didn“t come down here with this bad leg to see you loose. Get out there". With that, we practically tear the hinges off the door getting out on the field and we won the ball game 7-0.

There was the over-entusiastic father to one of the players who stampeded into Rockne“s office one day to ask why his boy wasn“t getting a fair break. "He was a great player on his high school team, and I don“t see why he shouldn“t be as great in collage. It“s embarrassing to have my fellow-towns people come to me and say: "What“s troubling your son? We predicted great things for him at Notre Dame and here, he hasn“t shown a thing yet". This continual critisism has brought me down here to talk to you".

"No, sir, there is no use in getting up in the air about a situation like this. Just sit down in a chair over there. Here, have a cigar. Now, we“ll reason things out. I can understand your position perfectly. I realize, too, that your heart and soul are set on your boy making good. We hear sometimes, of footbal teams representing large universities and colleges who have successful seasons ruined because of some cliques working against one another, or fraternity trouble that forces the coach to play certain men, or the fellows on the team who break training because they are disinterested. Wether this is true or not, I don“t know. I mention again that this is hear-say".

Rockne continues: "At Notre Dame, we have a wonderful type of boy, who is thoroughly interested in the teams success. We have no fraternities, so there is no trouble from that angle. There is no one forcing me to play anybody. I am not more interested in one boy that I am in another. I am anxious to have a good team and the eleven best men in their respective positions will make up my first eleven regardless of his nationality, creed, financial status or sicial prominence. We try to have one, big, happy family with but one thought in our minds. That we are all Notre Dame men. I“ll tell you what I want you to do. I want you to come out on the field this afternoon and watch practice. After practice, I want you to come down to the hotel and have dinner with me. I believe that you will have a new thought on the subject".

Rockne“s manner somewhat cooled down the irate father. They went over to the practice field. There was the mans son in one corner of the field practicing passing. This was a day of scrimmage. Immediately after calisthenics, Rockne selected two teams that were to play against each other that day. This boy was placed at halfback on the team on offence. Rockne purposely called the quarterback to him and said: "I want you to call 26 to the right three times in succession. Workman“s father is here and I want to see the boy go".

On the first play the boy ran beautifully off tackle for a nineteen-yard gain. On the second play he duplicated his efforts and gained twenty-three. On the third play he used a beautiful cutback for sixteen yards before he was downed. Rockne again called the quarterback to him.

"I want you to call that same play three times in succession, but this time make it to the left". The play was smashed with no gain. In speaking to Workman, he said: "Now listen, Jim. That play would have gone if you had taken out the end. That“s your duty. But we are going to give you another chance". Again the play was called. This time for a short gain of three yards. "Still the same trouble, Workman". Rockne called to quarterback over to the side. "Run that same play again". Once more, the play smashed.

The halfback, carrying the ball, took an unmerciful beating. "See here, Workman, to have success on this team we have to cooperate. One fellow has to help out the other one. When you were carrying the ball, your teammate at right halfback carried that end out of the park, making it possible for you to dash off a good gain. Then, when the tables turned, and he was carrying and you were doing the brute work, you fell down on your job. That is not our idea of playing football. We couldn“t get very far with a team made up of runners".

Rockne“s words carried to the father on the sidelines. The scrimmage went on for another half hour. Then practice was dismissed, and Rockne went over to Mr. Workman. "I understand what you mean, Mr. Rockne, and I“m terrible sorry that I caused you all this trouble. It was very fine of you to invite me to dinner but I“ll guess that I“d better go back home".

Rockne stopped him and said: "By all means, no, don“t take things to seriously. We“ll get hold of Jim in the lockerroom and have him go to dinner with us". That evening, at the dinner table, the Workmans were still uneasy. Rockne eased the situation by opening up the painful topic. "Jim, your father has made this trip down here to find out why you weren“t getting a better break. I want you to do as well as your father expects. You will remember that I called you into my office on several occasions and tried to show you that you should do a better job. I“ve always maintained that it wasn“t that you lacked ability that you weren“t getting along as well as I expected, but because you didn“t like the block". He continues: "Now Jim, your father has taken a great interest in you. I happen to know that it is with great sacrifice that he is educating you. Do you think that you are taking advantage of his encouragement? Are you trying to show your appreciation of what he is doing? Now, I want you to promise your father that you“re going to turn over a new leaf and strive to do the things that he and I know you can do. What do you say?"

"Your lesson and advice has been driven home. I realize now that I“ve been all wrong. You can rest assured, Rock, and you too, dad, and I“m going to try the devil to perfect my blocking. I want to thank you for being so patient". The boy held good to his promise. He turned out to be one of the finest backfield men that ever played for Notre Dame.

One one occasion Rockne asked one of the old school of "guards-back" players to come out to watch the team work out. The old timer balked. He said he didn“t want to watch a bunch of cream puffs work out. That football wasn“t a man“s game any more.

"To show you", continued the old timer, "I will tell you a story to illustrate my point: In one game I slammed into the line and had broken trough until the only thing between myself and the goal line was a big hairy shin. I though I would be a sportsman and give my opponent an opportunity to take his shin out of the way before I did anything drastic".

The team waited, no Rockne, time passed, still no Rockne. The umpire called "5 minutes left", and there was still no Rockne. The umpire called again "2 minutes left", and then suddenly Rockne burst in through the door, with scorn dripping from his lips he said: "Fighting Irish", then he spat, turned on his heel and stalked out the door.

Norman Barry, once a student in a Rockne summer class, told that Rockne got some of his players to attend his classes. "In all probability to keep us out of mischief", he continues. "Knute was entirely different in lecturing on chemistry than he was on football - except just once.

He had a summer class and it was attended by a lot of persons who were actually seking some knowledge about chemistry. Rock had propounded some particulary intricated formulas, when he happend to look my way. My mind was a thousand miles away.