DISQUS

Andrew Barbour · 1 year ago

Rockne's athletic and academic accomplishments reminded me of Paul Robeson. Paul Robeson's politics were certainly controversial, but if he was misguided, it was for the right reasons.

Robeson, for those not in the know, was a black man who, through brute force of his unbelievable talents, mowed down pretty much every obstacle his race posed in the 1920's and on.

He was valedictorian of Rutgers, and I kid you not, *worked his way through Columbia Law School as a professional football player and starring in Broadway and London theater shows.* Oh, and he later won a Grammy, a Spingarn Medal, and a Stalin Peace Prize.

Look him up on Wikipedia. Although his patriotism was certainly questionable, he was the Dean Emeritus of Manly Accomplishment.

Israel · 1 year ago

Knute was, is, the man! Guys like him are what this country was built on.

Lucas · 1 year ago

In high school I took a world history class from Rockne's grandson (Knute III). It was obvious that the virtues of education and sport were passed down the Rockne line.

Gary · 1 year ago

Thank you for such an informative column. I knew very little about Rockne and had always thought of him as just a one-dimensional guy who could coach very well. That, in itself, is a talent, but I was more impressed with his grades in some very tough subjects. To also find out that he overcame a stammer to become a great speaker is impressive. James Earl Jones stuttered, but went on to become the voice of Darth Vader, Simba (The Lion King) and the EIB Network, among others.

Kevin (ReturnToManliness) · 1 year ago

Be a renaissance man and Stay humble and hungry.

Both of these will be added to my list of Manliness Traits over at Return To Manliness. I have also heard "regal" used in place of "renaissance". I like them both and , to me, have the same meaning/feeling.

Stay humble and hungry. Wow, that's a good one. We all say it and we sometimes mean it, but more often than not, they are just words in our vocabulary. What does it mean to actually practice this? Well, most will tell you that discipline plays a huge part. The other thing to turn these words into practice is setting ridiculously easy goals to build momentum. If you have the momentum, before long it breeds on itself and you are actually practicing these fateful words.

Great post, Brett...

Augusto · 1 year ago

Great post. I wanted to point out that I think you misspelled "plane" on the last sentence of the first paragraph.

April Braswell · 1 year ago

What a fabulous man. Football is SUCH a great manly endeavor right up there alongside Hockey.

And I'm trying to find some nice tactful way to put this. As a flutist, I'll just let you think about it... the dexterity and strength fostered by playing the flute will make you skilled and desirable to your wife.

Additionally, and I'm digressing a tad, the late Jean-Pierre Rampal played the flute with such amazing skill and prowess, there was one piece in particular which my sister and I describe as "look Ma, no hands!" That prowess level and level of competitiveness to get there, IS indeed a manly endeavor.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Art of Manliness. God bless in your endeavors here!

All the best,

April Braswell
Romance Coach, Online Dating Coach
www.AprilBraswell.com

dadshouse · 1 year ago

Clearly, he played the flute to meet women. Like Patrick Swayze taking dance lessons. And April - this might sound scary, but I know who you're talking about when you refer to Jean-Pierre Rampal! Yikes. (No, I'm not a flute player. Just a single dad, forever chasing booty. Until I find a keeper, at least.)

http://dadshouseblog.com

James · 1 year ago

Great article, one quibble that a domer would care about : Knute is pronounced like newt; the k is silent like in knight.

Brett · 1 year ago

@James-

Knute (like "newt") is the Anglicanized way to say his name. The correct way to say what is a Norwegian name is ka-noot.

See Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knute_Rockne

Rico San · 1 year ago

As a recently graduated Domer ('08), I really enjoyed this article. Always good to read about an impressive man that shaped the history of the greatest institution in the world.

Also, i've always heard it pronounced "newt," but that's the American way of saying it.

Looking forward to next football season. GO IRISH!