Exclusive: Joe Theismann on the Importance of Military and Notre Dame CFP Berth

Joe Theismann carved out a legendary football career beginning with his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, and with the then-Washington Redskins in the NFL.

Theismann knows a lot about the college football landscape, including what the Army vs. Navy game stands for in this country, and all the military personnel that he calls “the heroes in my mind.”

Theismann joined Newsweek Sports to discuss his USAA partnership, Notre Dame making their first CFP appearance since 2020, and the Michigan vs. Ohio State game that has led to potential legislation.

Theismann went immediately into his partnership with USAA, and some cars were given to military members and their families in what is being dubbed “Recycled Ride Giveaways.”

“Obviously the Army/Navy game is this weekend, and it is great that it is the only college football game on. All eyes should here in Washington, D.C., which is interesting because Washington is only hosting for the second time, the Army/Navy game. And the Army/Navy game has been played 125 times, and USAA has been a great sponsor for over 100 of those years.”

“Besides that, we are having what is called a ‘Recycled Ride’, basically, redone vehicles to be able to give out to the military. There are a couple of individuals that have been chosen. Matthew Walker will be getting it as a representative of the Navy, and Caleb Dooley as a representative of the Army.”

Theismann was overjoyed to be part of a giveaway that benefits military members and also talks about how important the military is in America.

“You know, people call us heroes as athletes, and it’s certainly appreciated. But the truth of the matter is, we’re not heroes. We’re just people that God gave a gift to. The ability to run, jump, throw, whatever it may be. These men and women that put that uniform on, they’re heroes in my mind. And what we’re seeing in the Army/Navy game and at the academies, we are training future leaders of this country. There isn’t a better time in this world than to be able to have our leadership grow and be able to foster them.”

Given his legendary roots with Notre Dame, Theismann also got into what he has been seeing from his alma mater, and what head coach Marcus Freeman has been doing.

“I certainly have been paying a lot of attention to what Marcus has done, and he has done a fantastic job. He’s really got this football team playing together. They are a group of guys when you watch them play, they really look like they enjoy it with one another. That’s a key at any level whether Pop Warner, high school college, or pros. If the guys really enjoy playing together, you can see it.”

Theismann believes Notre Dame’s defense and offense can hang with any of the upper-echelon teams in the CFP. The former Fighting Irish quarterback also divulged his thoughts on the Michigan vs. Ohio State game, and how the giant brawl was “embarrassing.”

Read more: Lawmaker Wants to Make Planting Flag at Ohio Stadium a Felony Following Massive Brawl

“I don’t think you need politics to get involved. A simple policy would be this, you could stop the fans from storming the field like you have in basketball, cause someone could get hurt. The other thing is there is no planting, there is no planting of a field anywhere. Take it out of the game completely. Eliminate that match that seems to ignite all these things going on. If you can do that, it’s probably a step in the right direction. But to legislate and legally say ‘We are going to do this, we’re gonna make it a felony,’ why not first, let’s not do it. Let’s make it real simple, it’s not allowed … I think [adding legislation] is going a bit far, but it was embarrassing.”

For the entire interview with Joe Theismann, watch the video above. For more NCAA and NFL news, head to Newsweek Sports.