Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State only 63 days away
To preview one of the most anticipated games for Notre Dame this century and the official start of the Marcus Freeman era, BlueandGold.com is counting down the days to the matchup against Ohio State on Sept. 3.
This daily series of 99 stories celebrates by the numbers some of the most notable names, dates, moments and memories related to the past and present of Notre Dame football.
Today, with 63 days remaining until kickoff, we look at No. 63 and the football career of William Shakespeare.
The All-American tailback wore the number at Notre Dame from 1933-35 and in 1936 became the first-ever Irish NFL Draft pick.
Making history
Shakespeare enrolled at Notre Dame in 1932, the year after iconic Fighting Irish coach Knute Rockne died in a plane crash.
Playing under coach Hunk Anderson in 1933 and Elmer Layden in 1934-35, Shakespeare’s fine career included a college football hall of fame induction, first-team consensus All-American honors, and a third-place finish in the 1935 Heisman Trophy voting.
Upon graduation in 1936, Shakespeare made Notre Dame history when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates (now the Steelers) third overall in the first-ever NFL Draft.
And while his football career at Notre Dame featured many great moments, Shakespeare will forever be best remembered for one in particular.
Still known as “The Game of the Century,” Notre Dame in 1935 faced undefeated Ohio State in front of 81,000 at Ohio Stadium.
Trailing the heavily-favored Buckeyes 13-0 after three quarters, Notre Dame scored twice in the fourth to climb within 13-12.
With less than a minute left in the game, Shakespeare connected with Wayne Milner on a touchdown pass that secured Notre Dame an 18-13 upset win.
Legendary broadcaster Red Barber later called it the “greatest college football game I ever called.”
As a senior that season, Shakespeare led the Irish in passing (19 completions), rushing (374 yards), punting (40.9 yards per kick), kickoff returns (24.6 yards per try), and scoring (24 points).
Life after football
And while becoming an early first-round draft pick brings mega riches in today’s era, that wasn’t the case 86 years ago and Shakespeare passed on a NFL career and chose the business world instead.
A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Shakespeare took a job with the Cincinnati Rubber Company upon graduation. He became president of the company in 1960 and spent his entire working life with the business until his death in 1974 at age 61.
Best known for his successful football and business pursuits, Shakespeare also commanded a machine-gun platoon in Northern France as an Army captain during World War II.
There, Shakespeare was awarded four battle stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star for his gallant work in the Battle of the Bulge.
So, what might have become of Shakespeare had he chosen football over rubber after school?
Well, as a more famous William Shakespeare once lamented… “To be, or not to be, that is the question.”
