Originally published at Ignatian Spirituality
I am a lifelong Notre Dame football fan. It started when my dad had us watch the games every Saturday growing up, and my dedication to the team (and the outcome of their games) only intensified when I was a student there. Being present in the animated student section made me feel like I had a bit more skin in the game, so to speak.
The first decade or so after graduating, I was still intensely committed to the outcome of every Notre Dame football game. It’s difficult to admit, but I may have even thought that if I watched the games in the same place each week, wearing the same Notre Dame shirt while praying the same frantic Hail Mary every time there was a run for the endzone, it might have a positive effect on how the game turned out.
In 2012, Notre Dame went 12-0 and made it into the national championship. My oldest son was due the Friday before the championship game. Also difficult to admit, I was a little grateful he decided to wait an extra week to make his entrance, just so I could have my full focus on the game. When my team
