The Story Behind “The Gipper” Speech, the Greatest Pep Talk in Sports

"Win one for the zipper". If you're a fan of college football, you know it was a passionate argument that rallied the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame to an impossible victory over an undefeated army in 1928. But who was Gipper and what was his story?

George Gipp was a natural athlete

Living on the top of the Upper Peninsula off Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, George Gipp was born in 1895. A natural athlete, Gipp enrolled at the University of Notre Dame with the intention of playing baseball. His size, speed and strength caught the attention of Knut Rockne, the head coach of Notre Dame's football team. Gipp was added to the football team, without ever playing organized football.

Gip played quarterback and punter

Gipp displayed tremendous leadership qualities along with an innate understanding of the game of football. Rockne used him in many different positions, including quarterback, halfback, and punter. During his college football career, Gipp set a school record for rushing yards ... 2,341 rushing yards ... and the record stood unopposed for more than fifty years. Gipp is still the record holder for average yards per rush, average yards per game total defense, and average yards per game total offense. George Gipp was the first play for Notre Dame to be named Walter Camp All-American.

Gipp was healthy during his senior year

In 1920, George Gipp was in his senior year at Notre Dame and athletically, he was in his prime. He was 25 years old, strong and active. He led the Fighting Irish to victory over Northwestern on 20 November and later, he remained on the field to give the youngsters a punting lesson. The Northwestern game will be the last football game the mighty gip will play.

Gipp was healthy during his senior year

In 1920, George Gipp was in his senior year at Notre Dame and athletically, he was in his prime. He was 25 years old, strong and active. He led the Fighting Irish to victory over Northwestern on 20 November and later, he remained on the field to give the youngsters a punting lesson. The Northwestern game will be the last football game the mighty gip will play.