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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is set to become the first Black head coach in an FBS college football national championship game as the Fighting Irish prepare to face Ohio State on Jan. 20 in Atlanta. The game will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in King’s hometown.
“As far as playing in the national championship game on MLK Day, to me the attention should be on MLK Day and what he did for our country and the progress he made for equal rights and progress for all people, the courage he had as an individual to stand for what he believes in,” Freeman said. “That was with his words and his actions.
“Martin Luther King Day is about celebrating that man and the impacts he’s made on our country.”
Freeman outdueled Penn State’s James Franklin in the Orange Bowl semifinal with a 27-24 come-from-behind victory. Because of the Freeman vs. Franklin matchup, a Black coach was guaranteed to coach in the national championship game against the Buckeyes.
“I sure hope that somebody gives the right person an opportunity,” Freeman said. “I was given an opportunity by our former athletic director Jack Swarbrick and Father John Jenkins. They made the decision to give me an opportunity. What I continue to hope is that people get opportunities based off their actions and not the color of their skin. That doesn’t point to just one group of people, but we want to make sure we continue to give the right people opportunities to lead our young people, and I believe in that.”
Freeman was promoted to Notre Dame’s head coach following the 2021 season after Brian Kelly left for LSU. The former Ohio State linebacker found immediate success, posting a 33-9 career record with bowl victories in three consecutive seasons. Thanks to the College Football…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dames-marcus-freeman-wants-attention-on-martin-luther-king-jr-s-legacy-and-not-his-own-trailblazing/
Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2025-01-13 17:15:00
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