Notre Dame unveils ‘The Shirt 2024′

On Friday, Notre Dame released this year’s version of THE SHIRT as part of the Blue-Gold Game weekend festivities. While I always hold out a little bit of hope every year that it isn’t a terrible piece of clothing — it always is, and will always be because of the formula they use.
The design was unveiled during a big ceremony on Notre Dame’s campus. It comes one day before the annual Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium.

 

The front of the shirt says “Notre Dame Football: Irish 2024″ and features the fabled Four Horsemen backfield of Jim Crowley, Elmer Layden, Don Miller, and Harry Stuhldreher.

The back of the shirt says “The Tradition Continues” and features a large golden helmet. Inside the helmet, several of Notre Dame’s national championship banners are visible. Behind the helmet sits an outline of Notre Dame Stadium.

This year’s version is no different — it’s not good. While I don’t consider myself a fashion icon I do know a thing or two about a good shirt.

Before I get rolling on why this year’s version is bad, please let me add a disclaimer. I’m merely being me and providing commentary, and this is not intended to be malicious.

Having said that… this ain’t good and here’s why:

1.YOU HAD ONE JOB

Reasons be damned — there’s no reason good enough to make the shirt this color. It’s a RISE AND STRIKE redux and the Sea of Flesh is now fully in play this season (gross). The color should ALWAYS be Kelly Green with no exception — none. In fact… if this shirt was green and “bad-Kelly-era-pants-gold-color” I would likely have little to say about this shirt that eager money-givers wouldn’t shoot down.

2. YOU HAD ONE JOB — NOT TWO

Once again there are two massive designs on THE SHIRT. In absolute fairness, by themselves, the designs are actually good-looking. But I can’t remember a single time in my life that I went out shopping and saw a shirt this busy and was like, “THAT’S THE ONE! That’s the shirt that I want to wear for 15 Saturday’s in the fall. Whether you’re in front of me or behind me — you’re going to bow down to my fandom.”

3. ARE WE CELEBRATING A LITTLE TOO MUCH?

I’ve railed against Notre Dame’s 2024 schedule a hundred times over the last 8 months. It’s ridiculously bad, and will forever be remembered for having two MAC schools and two service academies. That fate was sealed when Notre Dame announced the game against Army in Yankee Stadium as this year is the 100th anniversary of the famous game with the 4 Horsemen and some words that Grantland Rice wrote.