Fighting Irish football fans will need to break out their green gear on September 28. On Thursday, the Irish announced that their Week 5 game against Louisville would be the “Irish Wear Green” game.
On the bus Marcus Freeman Era, Notre Dame wore green uniforms in the two previous “Irish Wear Green” games. The first was a 24-17 win over California on September 17, 2022 – Freeman’s first win as head coach. Last year, they wore all green uniforms in prime time on September 23, 2023 against Ohio State. The Irish lost that game 17-14.
Before Freeman took over, the last time Notre Dame wore green jerseys was at their home game against Florida State in 2018. The Irish beat the Seminoles 42-13.
In this year’s edition, Notre Dame will be looking to avenge last season’s loss to Louisville. Last year, the 19th-ranked Cardinals defeated Freeman’s then-14th-ranked team 33-20. Peacock will exclusively televise this year’s game.
The Irish most famously wore green jerseys in the “Green Jersey Game” against No. 5 Southern Cal at Notre Dame Stadium on October 22, 1977. Notre Dame – ranked No. 11 at the time – eventually defeated the Trojans 49-19 in front of 59,075 fans. After that game, the Irish won their 10th national championship.
Notre Dame has a record of 35-12-1 when wearing green jerseys since 1977.
Many historians believe that the Irish wore “green jerseys” for the first time in 1921, when Notre Dame played away against Iowa. Knute Rockne theorized that the green jerseys would help his passers find their receivers better, so changing clothes became routine when playing against teams with similar colors.
Until the “Green Jersey Game” in 1977, the Irish had worn the green jerseys sporadically for the previous 56 years. For a complete historical account of these games, see an article by Blue & Gold writer Todd Burlage here.
Notre Dame announced the 2024 “Irish Wear Green” game
On Thursday, Notre Dame announced the 2024 “Irish Wear Green” game with a promotional video on its X account. In the video, Freeman Facetimed WWE wrestler “Sheamus” — an Irish native — to tell him the news and invite him to the game.
“On September 28th we play against Louisville, it’s going to be a crazy game – sold out,” said Freeman.
Sheamus told Freeman that if he didn’t have a wrestling competition, he would go to the match.
“I’m so excited for this team,” Sheamus said. “I’m so excited to have you leading them – we have a great leader in you. I’m just excited. There are only a few weeks left until the season and there hasn’t been this much excitement in a long time.”
“It’s going to be a blast – one blast after another, after another, after another.”
