Notre Dame hadn’t won a major bowl game in some time. In fact, the current players were little more than twinkles in their parents’ eyes. That all changed with a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Now, the Irish are in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Penn State via the Orange Bowl. Hardly anyone could have predicted that after the loss to Northern Illinois, but that’s a testament to the unpredictability of this beautiful sport. The Irish have done everything right since then.
It’s hard to imagine such a joyous occasion in New Orleans when the city still was reeling from a New Year’s Day tragedy that delayed the Sugar Bowl by a day. Still, the Irish pulled it off during and after the game while still acknowledging those affected by such a horrific event.
Here’s are some images that the Irish players will recall when and if they ever return to the Big Easy: