The Most Famous Notre Dame Football Player, Ranked

Choose the player you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 07:10
Debates often arise among sports enthusiasts about who stands out as the most iconic Notre Dame football player. Such discussions inspire passion and pride, highlighting varied opinions and perspectives across different eras of football. Establishing a clear and collective ranking helps bring fans together, offering a comprehensive view of player legacies shaped by performance, impact, and popularity. By participating in voting, fans contribute to a dynamic chart that reflects widespread opinion rather than singular narratives. This process doesn't just acknowledge the stars from a storied past; it continually adjusts to new insights and the evolving accomplishments of current players. Your vote counts in shaping a living tribute to Notre Dame's football history.

Who Is the Most Famous Notre Dame Football Player?

  1. 1
    56
    votes
    Knute Rockne
    Unknown · Public domain
    He is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history and led the Fighting Irish to five national championships.
  2. 2
    17
    votes
    The four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1977.
    Joe Montana in other rankings
  3. 3
    30
    votes
    Paul Hornung
    Topps · Public domain
    The Heisman Trophy-winning halfback led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1956.
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    Tim Brown
    Camw · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver set numerous Notre Dame receiving records and went on to have a successful NFL career.
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    Jerome Bettis
    DHHS · Public domain
    The powerful running back helped lead Notre Dame to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1992 and went on to have a successful NFL career.
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    The explosive wide receiver and kick returner helped lead Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.
  7. 7
    5
    votes
    Johnny Lujack
    Bowman · Public domain
    The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist led Notre Dame to two national championships in the 1940s.
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    The record-setting quarterback led Notre Dame to back-to-back BCS bowl games in 2005 and 2006.
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    The star linebacker helped lead Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season and a national championship appearance in 2012.
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    While not a player, Holtz is one of the most successful coaches in Notre Dame history, leading the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988.
    Lou Holtz in other rankings

Missing your favorite player?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for famous player

  1. On-field success
    The player's performance, achievements, and contributions during their time at Notre Dame, such as accolades, records set, championships won, and impact on the team's success.
  2. Post-career accomplishments
    The player's success and recognition in professional football, including any accolades, records, championships, or notable moments achieved in their career after leaving Notre Dame.
  3. Longevity
    The duration of the player's impact and influence, both during their time at Notre Dame and in their professional career.
  4. Historical significance
    The player's impact and legacy on the Notre Dame football program, including their role in significant games, moments, or eras in the team's history.
  5. Cultural impact
    The player's broader influence and recognition beyond the football field, which could include their impact on popular culture, media exposure, charitable endeavors, or representation of the university.
  6. Fan base
    The player's popularity and enduring support among Notre Dame football fans, as demonstrated through fan polls, social media engagement, or general sentiments within the fan community.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Notre Dame football player. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1780 views
  • 160 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each player once every 24 hours. The rank of each player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous notre dame football player

Notre Dame football has a storied history that spans over a century, with countless legendary players and coaches contributing to its legacy. However, when it comes to the most famous Notre Dame football player, one name immediately comes to mind - Knute Rockne. Rockne not only played for Notre Dame in the early 1910s, but also coached the team to numerous victories and national championships in the 1920s. He is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history, and his innovative strategies and motivational speeches are still studied and emulated today. Other notable Notre Dame football players include Joe Montana, who led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1977 and went on to a legendary career in the NFL, and Tim Brown, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1987 and went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer. But who is truly the most famous Notre Dame football player? That's up for debate, and the answer may depend on factors such as era, personal preference, and individual accomplishments. That's why StrawPoll is the perfect platform to gather opinions and insights from football fans around the world.

Share this article