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DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Al Golden, Notre Dame football’s defensive coordinator and the father of a Notre Dame freshman, experienced a parent’s dread in the initial aftermath of the Bourbon Street tragedy on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
As his wife Kelly slept soundly in their hotel room, Golden awoke at 4 a.m. (5 Eastern) to begin his usual game-day routine. Checking his phone, he realized the horror that had taken place several blocks to the north in the French Quarter.
“It was just so disturbing,” Golden said Tuesday at Orange Bowl media day. “Not being able to leave the hotel and worried about (family). I’m going to be honest with you, I went down and checked my 19-year-old’s room.
“(AJ) had a buddy in town, and I didn’t know if they were hanging around in the lobby downstairs or whatever (on New Year’s Eve).”
Golden, who had turned in well before the clock struck midnight, “wanted to make sure (AJ) was in.”
Thankfully, the younger Golden, who is studying mechanical engineering after playing football at St. Xavier in Cincinnati, was safe. For so many other friends and family members of the victims, the news was far different.
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“It was just awful,” Golden said. “You just feel so badly that those types of things go on. I was pretty sure by 5 o’clock (Central) that we weren’t going to play, and then when it was confirmed (around 1 p.m. Central).”
Like Georgia, Notre Dame had to process its emotions throughout New Year’s Day as it awaited a rescheduled Sugar Bowl kickoff on Jan. 2.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman, a parent himself, made sure his players could spend time with their families once afternoon meetings were finished on New Year’s Day.
“Coach Freeman was awesome in terms of how he…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/just-awful-notre-dame-football-090543533.html
Author : South Bend Tribune
Publish date : 2025-01-08 09:05:00
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