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George Gipp is considered one of the greatest all-round college football players in the history of the game. Born in Laurium, MI, on February 18, 1895, he was an all-round athlete in high school, though he never played football there. He went to the University of Notre Dame, where he hoped to play baseball, but was spotted drop-kicking a football one afternoon by coach Knute Rockne. Rockne immediately drafted him onto the football team, and Gipp became a star half-back. He led the team in rushing and passing for three out of the four years in which he played for Notre Dame; his rushing record (2,341 yds/2,141m) stood for 50 years.
At the end of his senior year at college, Gipp came down with strep throat. He died at the age of 25, on December 14, 1920, just two weeks before he was named Notre Dame's first All-American Football Player. Legend has it that on his deathbed, Gipp said to Rockne, "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys — tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
Eight years later, in 1928, Rockne made his famous speech, which ended with the words, "Win one for the Gipper," when Notre Dame was playing against Army at Yankee Stadium, and they were losing by half-time. The New York News quoted Rockne, "The day before he died, George Gipp asked me to wait until the situation seemed hopeless -- then ask a Notre Dame team to go out and beat Army for him. This is the day, and you are that team." Reportedly, halfback Jack Chevigny, immediately after making the one-yard touchdown that won the game, said, "That one was for the Gipper." Notre Dame beat Army 12-6.
In the 1940's film, Knute Rockne: All American, Ronald Reagan gave a breakout performance in the role of George Gipp. He was always associated with the phrase, "Win one for the Gipper," and used it as a catch-phrase when he was seeking election to President of the United States. The phrase became more commonly heard, used as a rallying cry when the chips are down, and the situation seems hopeless.
Last updated: June 15, 2004.
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