It’s well known that at the Catholic University of Notre Dame, football is its own religion. The school even boasts a mural of “Touchdown Jesus” on its campus.
Notre Dame’s football coach since 2004, Charlie Weis, is a giant of a man, who has brought the team back from a series of losing (yes, losing) seasons, is known for his harsh personality, and has also become infamous for excessive expletives on the field. And in the eyes of the campus and its fans, he is also above sin. Last night, “60 Minutes” did a special segment, called “Big Man On Campus,” on this bear of a coach who has revived the Fighting Irish. In the piece, Notre Dame’s President, Father John Jenkins, boasts giving him “special dispensation” for his foul mouth:
Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins says he hired Weis because his values and commitment to excellence mirrored those of the university. And he seems willing to give the coach a special dispensation for his language. “This may shock you, but I’ve heard salty language in football locker rooms a lot. Charlie’s a New Jersey guy and he speaks very directly,” Jenkins says. “Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles, who was a good friend of Charlie’s, said that Charlie’s probably spending a lot of time in the confessional here for all of the language,” Kroft remarks. “If he’s spending time in confessional, I encourage him to keep doing that and repent,” Father Jenkins says, laughing.
Apparently, all is forgiven in football.