I’ve been asked on countless occasions, “How did you become an ND fanatic?” This question is often asked with sarcasm by Southern California natives. The reason is that I, myself, am a Southern California native.

It’s really quite simple. In 1988, I became enthralled with everything Notre Dame stands for: God, Country, Notre Dame. I’ll never forget how I felt watching those gold, shiny helmets run out of the tunnel with the majestic fight song, and a coach that reminded me of my Grandpa. The exciting play of the Rocket being literally untouchable added to the excitement! Throw in Zorro being zorro, the three amigos, Tony Rice, the list goes on and on.

Bottom line, from that moment I was hooked! I literally schedule my life around ND games so I don’t miss them live! I’ve only missed 8 games live over the past 25 years (live meaning not recorded, not actually at the game, but live on TV). I’ve also seen the Irish play in south bend 7 times now (owning an impressive 6-1 record) and now up to 23 times on the road (14-9). So, it’s easy for people to understand the obsession.

What’s not so easy to understand is my disdain for the Trojans of Southern Cal. I mean I live 60 miles from the school. Why wouldn’t I be a fan of a school with a winning tradition, legends on the field, when they’re right in my back yard?! I’ll sun it up in to one word, “Obnoxious”. I’ve seen the Irish play at the coliseum on 6 different occasions. I’m 2-4. I’ve been there thru some highs, Tony Jones Jr scoring the game winning touchdown in 2018 right in front of me, 1996 Lou’s finale as Irish head coach, the first time the Trojans defeated the Irish in 13 years (Jim Sanson, you broke my heart with that missed extra point), and 2010 in the rain (yes, we have that here) when we finally got over a string of embarassing defeats at the hands of the hated ones.

I won’t get in to the detail of the actual games I was at for the losses other than to say, Charlie Weis was the worst, and those teams just did not have the talent to compete with USC paid (oops, I meant paid… ha, oops, I said it again… oh, well) athletes. Good ol Pete sure knew how to recruit and it started and ended with his schools checking account.

Getting back to the one word I use to describe the Trojans; obnoxious. After every win, and loss, a majority of the fan base at the coliseum are classless! Who throws bottles at a then 15 year old kid for wearing an ND jersey?! Yeah, obnoxious fans do. In the early 2000’s the obnoxious behavior continued as walking in to the tailgate area I was reminded just how terrible my IRISH has been playing (as if I didn’t know rocking ND gear 24/7/365 at work and around town). Work friends, church friends, neighbors, would not let me hear the end of it, ever! Now, I like to talk a little smack from time to time, but not to the level I recieved it over the years. Hideous USC flags being placed in my lawn after the game was a frequent occurrence. My son, Nate, at a very young age, having an USC shirt and hat placed on him for $5, NOT COOL! To continue on with the obnoxious word here, is there a more annoying fight song in the world?!? No! Not Michigan, not Bama, none. I swear, it’s the only damn song the band knows!!!

In closing, let’s compare some notable alumni. USC has a butt fumbler (Mark Sanchez), a cheater (Reggie Bush) and worst of all, a MURDERER! The Irish have Chief Justice’s, hall of famers, a firefighter (what’s up Zibby!?), and several very successful current NFL athletes, can you name more than 2 or 3 current USC key contributors? And do not say Sam Darnold!

I could go in to much greater detail on some of my experiences that have caused me to despise FUSC, but take a trip out here for the 2020 game and see for yourself!

Yes, it’s probably a top 3 rivalry in all of college football, but I for one, will never be “grateful” for anything about FUSC!

Lets get after these beach bums!!! #GoIrish #BeatSC

–Leprechaun Jason