Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison On Tears To Triumph, Family Values & His Unwavering Faith

Why Number 20?

The speaker discusses their desire to wear a different number and their admiration for player Minkah Fitzpatrick.

• The speaker initially wanted to be number 12, but it was already taken by JB.

• They then expressed interest in numbers 12, 20, and 29.

• However, they were assigned number 20 instead.

• The speaker's favorite player is Minkah Fitzpatrick, who wears number 29.

• They have reached out to Minkah in the past through direct messages on social media.

Admiration for Minkah Fitzpatrick

The speaker continues to express their admiration for Minkah Fitzpatrick and their desire to be like him.

• The speaker has sent direct messages to Minkah in the past, expressing birthday wishes and excitement about potentially being on the same team.

• Although Minkah hasn't responded yet, the speaker still looks up to him and wants to emulate his success.

• They plan on reaching out again but want to avoid appearing too starstruck.

Birthday Message and Training

The speaker shares a birthday message they sent to Minkah Fitzpatrick and expresses their admiration for him as a player.

• On November 7th, 2020, the speaker wished Minkah a happy birthday and expressed their eagerness to start training with him.

• They look up to Minkah as a role model and seek advice from him.

• A reference is made to lyrics from Eminem's song "Stan" (Dear Slim).

• The speaker acknowledges that they might be considered old-fashioned for admiring someone like Minkah.

Minkah's Career and Trade

The speaker discusses Minkah Fitzpatrick's career and trade history.

• The speaker mentions that Minkah is in the same class as them, having entered the league around eight years ago.

• There is uncertainty about the exact number of years Minkah has been in the league, but it is clarified that he left his previous team in 2018.

• The speaker speculates on Minkah's current year in the league, suggesting it could be his sixth or seventh year.

Clarifying Minkah's Years in the League

The speaker further clarifies Minkah Fitzpatrick's years in the league and reflects on their own choice of number.

• It is confirmed that Minkah entered the NFL Draft in 2018, making this his fifth year in the league.

• The speaker expresses interest in knowing more about the trade involving Minkah.

• They find it intriguing that Minkah initially chose a random number like 29 but now wears number 39 with the Steelers.

Curiosity About Trade Details

The speaker expresses curiosity about the details of Minkah Fitzpatrick's trade.

• The speaker wants to know more about what happened during Minkah's trade to better understand why he ended up with number 29 initially.

Familiarity with Minkah Fitzpatrick

The speaker shares their familiarity with Minkah Fitzpatrick through watching his videos and being part of a similar team event.

• The speaker used to watch videos of Minkah at events like "the opening" and during his time at Alabama.

• They mention being present at the B championship game, where they were on the same team as Minkah.

• A connection is made to Brandon Wimbush, who was Minkah's high school quarterback.

Family Influences and Number Choices

The speaker discusses their family influences and number choices, including their father's and brother's numbers.

• The speaker acknowledges that their father played in the league but doesn't feel pressured to wear his number (38).

• Their father wore number 27 in college, while Sam (presumably a sibling) wore it at UA (University of Alabama).

• The speaker explains why they didn't choose number 27 themselves, citing personal preference and how it looked on them.

Competitive Household and Sibling Influences

The speaker reflects on growing up in a household with competitive siblings who excelled in different fields.

• Contrary to common assumptions, the household wasn't highly competitive due to each sibling pursuing different interests.

• The speaker's sister had late gymnastics practices, so evenings were more about catching up than competing.

• Regarding their relationship with Sam (presumably a sibling), the speaker credits their mother for not allowing Sam to be too hard on them.

• They emphasize that there was always love between all siblings and a desire to spend time together.

Learning from Older Siblings

The speaker shares how they learned from watching their older siblings' mistakes and successes.

• As the youngest sibling, the speaker relates to watching Sam grow up from a distance and observing both his mistakes and achievements.

• They appreciate having had the opportunity to learn without feeling pressured or competing directly with their older siblings.

Competitive Game: Three Ball

The speaker mentions a competitive game called "Three Ball" and their performance in it.

• "Three Ball" is a three-point shooting competition where participants take shots from the right corner, middle, and left corner.

• The speaker clarifies that both they and Minkah average around four out of nine shots during these competitions.

• They highlight that hitting seven or eight shots out of nine is rare and only happens on exceptional days.

Playing Basketball at Bogleman

The speaker talks about their experience playing basketball when they were younger at Bogleman and how they were more athletic than everyone else.

Basketball Tryouts

• During the tryout phase, the speaker looked impressive with their white tights, elite socks, and Kyrie Irving shoes.

• They were more athletic than everyone else and could run past everyone without needing to understand basketball skills.

Humiliating Moments

• Despite making it to the first game, the speaker's lack of basketball skills became evident.

• They missed wide-open layups and would be faster than others but still fail to score.

• Their parents found it embarrassing and would laugh from the stands.

Moving from Virginia to Arizona

The speaker discusses their transition from Virginia to Arizona and how it was a culture shock for them.

Differences in Environment

• Virginia was seen as a place where the speaker would want to raise their family due to its familiarity.

• Moving to Arizona was a cultural shock as kids there seemed more advanced at a younger age.

• The exposure to things they shouldn't have been exposed to at that age was significant.

Academic Advancement

• The speaker skipped two grades after moving to Arizona because of what they already knew and learned in Virginia.

• This academic advancement contributed to their overall adjustment in the new environment.

Meeting Mr. Peterson

The speaker shares how meeting Mr. Peterson had a profound impact on their life and helped them change for the better.

Troubled Behavior

• Before meeting Mr. Peterson, the speaker admits being on the wrong track, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and trying to be someone they weren't.

• Their behavior had reached a point where their mother had to consider removing them from their current school.

Changing Schools

• The speaker's mother decided to enroll them in Channel Christian Academy (CCA) after realizing the need for a change.

• CCA was a small school with classrooms located in mobile homes, providing a different environment for the speaker.

Mr. Peterson's Influence

• The speaker first met Mr. Peterson during an open house at CCA and immediately felt that their life was about to change.

• Mr. Peterson showed the speaker how to become a better person and provided an example of what a father should be like through his interactions with his own son.

Back-to-School Shopping Experience

The speaker discusses their back-to-school shopping experience and how it marked a turning point in their life.

Contentment with Limited Resources

• In the past, the speaker would have been upset if they didn't get all the newest items during back-to-school shopping.

• However, after meeting Mr. Peterson, they learned to appreciate what they received and expressed gratitude towards their mother.

Life Transformation

• This moment of contentment signaled a positive shift in the speaker's life, which they attribute to Mr. Peterson's influence.

• The relationship between Mr. Peterson and his son Roman is also mentioned as something special that the speaker cherishes.

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source video.

Life at an All-Boys School

The speaker discusses their experience attending an all-boys school and how it allowed them to focus on sports without distractions.

Life at an All-Boys School

• Attending an all-boys school meant spending the entire day with friends in a locker room-like environment. There was no drama or distractions between classes.

Strong Friendships from High School

The speaker talks about their close friendships from high school and how they are excited to have their friends visit and watch them play.

Close Friends from High School

• The speaker's closest friends from high school are in a fraternity at ASU and are coming to watch the player's game. They consider these friends as some of the best they have.

• The speaker's friends are excited to visit because they have never been outside of Arizona, and it will be a new experience for them.

• The atmosphere and family-like environment created during Notre Dame home games is something the speaker is excited for their friends to witness.

Culture Shock and Football Environments

The speaker discusses how their friends may experience culture shock when visiting Notre Dame, as well as the unique football environments they have experienced.

Culture Shock for Friends

• The speaker anticipates that their friends may experience culture shock when visiting Notre Dame, as it will be different from their experiences at ASU.

• Late November Notre Dame home games are known for being exciting, with changing seasons and colder weather adding to the atmosphere.

• The speaker recalls a previous game where it snowed, creating one of the coolest football environments they had ever experienced.

Connections and Motivation

The speaker discusses their connections with other athletes from Arizona and how their family, including siblings and friends, have motivated them to succeed.

Connections with Other Athletes

• The speaker mentions having close relationships with athletes like Denzel Burke, Ryan Clarkon, Jaden Daniels, and Jordan Clark.

• Their oldest siblings are close to these athletes as well.

Family Motivation

• The speaker's parents provided the best opportunities for success without putting pressure on them. This motivated the speaker to excel.

• Seeing their siblings receive scholarships and live out their dreams also motivated the speaker to pursue their own goals in sports.

Influence of Parents and Siblings

The speaker reflects on the influence of their parents and siblings in motivating them to succeed.

Parental Support

• The speaker's parents put them in the best situations to succeed without forcing anything or applying pressure. They believed in the speaker's abilities and were willing to do whatever it took for them to succeed.

Sibling Inspiration

• Witnessing their older siblings receive scholarships and seeing how they lived out their dreams inspired the speaker to pursue a similar path.

• The experience of seeing their dad live through them after his own experiences in junior college and playing football at Arizona was unique but appreciated more as they got older.

Growing Up in a Non-Traditional Family

The speaker reflects on their childhood and growing up in a non-traditional family, where their parents had busy schedules and they had to adapt to different routines.

Childhood Memories

• The speaker's mother would drive 45 minutes after work to pick up their sister from practice, cook dinner late at night.

• The speaker's father would often be late to pick them up due to working in DC.

• Their family's routine was different from traditional families where everyone would be home by 5:00 PM.

Changes in High School

• When the speaker's older sister went away for college, it was just them and their parents at home.

• This allowed the parents to focus more on the speaker individually.

• The speaker realized that their parents had a lot of responsibilities and appreciated their efforts.

Positive Experience at Broy College Prep

• The speaker attended Broy College Prep for high school and considers it the best thing in their life.

• They met close friends there and felt prepared for their current stage in life.

• Broy College Prep provided strong academic support, including extra help with reading comprehension.

Early Confidence in Playing Football

The speaker discusses their early confidence in playing football beyond high school and how they always knew they wanted to play college football.

Early Determination

• From a young age, the speaker had utmost confidence that they would play football beyond high school.

• They were certain about playing college football at the highest level.

Recruiting Process

The speaker talks about their experience with the recruiting process during high school and when they started receiving offers from colleges.

Freshman Year Visit to ASU

• During freshman year, ASU invited top freshmen athletes for a campus visit.

• The speaker attended the visit and was disappointed when they were not offered a scholarship like some of their peers.

Sophomore Year Recruiting

• During their sophomore year, the speaker had a game against Brennan Rice, who now plays for USC.

• After performing well in that game, the recruiting process started to happen for the speaker.

Focusing on the Future

The speaker discusses receiving his first Division One offer and the excitement surrounding it.

Receiving the Offer

• The speaker receives a call from a coach who wants to talk to him about an offer.

• He informs his dad about the call and they are both excited.

• The coach offers him a Division One opportunity, which is a dream come true for the speaker.

• He shares the news with his parents and everyone is happy for him.

Turning Dreams into Reality

The speaker reflects on how receiving his first Division One offer made his childhood dreams of playing at that level become a reality.

Fulfilling Childhood Dreams

• Receiving the Division One offer was a special moment for the speaker as it fulfilled his childhood dream.

• It was amazing to finally achieve what he had always talked about doing as a kid.

• The speaker recalls envisioning himself getting an offer while playing Fortnite, and now it has become a reality.

High School Experience

The speaker discusses his high school football experience, including playing defense and limited involvement in offense, as well as the talent level at his school.

High School Football

• In high school, the speaker primarily played defense but occasionally participated in offensive trick plays.

• His high school was known for producing talented athletes, although there were other powerhouse schools in Arizona as well.

• He mentions Denzel Burke, who transferred to their school and became close friends with him during their time together.

Overcoming Challenges

The speaker talks about facing challenges during high school football, including being part of an 0-9 team, and how he approached the recruiting process.

Dealing with Challenges

• The speaker acknowledges that his high school team had a tough season, going 0-9.

• Despite the lack of wins, he didn't let it affect him too much because he was playing with his best friends and enjoying the experience.

• He believes that people put too much pressure on high school football and emphasizes the importance of having fun and building relationships.

Notre Dame Offer

The speaker discusses receiving an offer from Notre Dame and shares his initial reaction to the virtual campus tour.

Receiving the Offer

• The speaker received an offer from Notre Dame during his junior year after being contacted by Coach Mickens.

• He had a virtual meeting with Coach Poone to discuss the offer and later had a Zoom tour of the campus.

• Although it was different from visiting in person, he still got a sense of what Notre Dame had to offer.

Choosing Notre Dame

The speaker talks about his decision-making process and reveals that there were no other schools in competition with Notre Dame at the time of his visit.

Decision-Making Process

• The speaker's top three schools were Alabama, Washington, and Notre Dame.

• He prioritized football development over campus tours when making his decision.

• Ultimately, he chose Notre Dame because he believed they could help him grow as both an athlete and a person.

Choosing a College Based on Facilities and Lighting

The speaker discusses their preference for colleges with good lighting in their facilities. They mention the difference in lighting between Alabama, Washington, and Notre Dame.

Preference for Well-Lit Facilities

• The speaker wanted to attend a college where the facilities had good lighting.

• At Alabama, the facilities were like being in a bubble, with darker lighting.

• Washington had abundant sunlight during summer but became dark in winter.

• Notre Dame's indoor facility had beautiful glass windows that allowed natural light to come in.

Importance of Light and Evaluation Process

The speaker emphasizes the importance of light in their decision-making process when choosing a college. They also discuss evaluating schools based on opportunities and genuine coaches.

Evaluating Schools Based on Light and Opportunities

• The speaker wanted to be somewhere with good lighting, which influenced their decision.

• They evaluated schools based on the opportunity to play and succeed there.

• Coach Mickens at Notre Dame played a significant role in their decision-making process.

• Mickens believed in the speaker's potential from the beginning and prepared them for challenging moments.

Fear of Traveling and Weather Climates

The speaker shares their initial fears about traveling away from home and experiencing different weather climates. They also mention journaling about each visit to seek guidance.

Initial Fears About Traveling and Weather Climates

• The speaker was initially scared of traveling away from home and experiencing different weather climates.

• They moved from Virginia to Arizona before attending college.

• Journaling about each visit helped them seek guidance regarding which school they should choose.

Coach Mickens' Impact and Genuine Approach

The speaker highlights the impact of Coach Mickens on their life and family. They appreciate his genuine approach and the opportunities he provided.

Coach Mickens' Impact and Genuine Approach

• Coach Mickens changed the speaker's life and their family's life.

• He gave them opportunities that not many schools would offer.

• The speaker played against Ohio State in their first game, which showcased Mickens' belief in them.

• Throughout the recruiting process, Mickens remained genuine, which was crucial for the speaker's decision to choose Notre Dame.

Discussion about Cincinnati Chili

The conversation briefly shifts to discussing Cincinnati chili, a local specialty. The speaker mentions never trying it but acknowledges its popularity.

Brief Discussion about Cincinnati Chili

• The conversation briefly touches on Cincinnati chili as a local specialty.

• The speaker has never tried it but acknowledges its popularity in Ohio.

Exposure as a Cornerback and Progression in Games

The discussion focuses on the exposure and progression of playing cornerback. The speaker shares their goals for different parts of their first season.

Exposure as a Cornerback and Season Progression

• Playing cornerback is an exposed position with high attention from others.

• In their first season, the speaker set goals to break it up into four parts.

• Initially, they aimed to get acclimated in the first four games.

• In the next four games, they focused on getting more involved by making plays and tackles.

• Finally, in the last four games, they saw it as an opportunity for separation and further improvement.

Gaining Confidence after a Challenging Game

The speaker reflects on a challenging game against Syracuse and how it affected their confidence. They discuss the impact of Coach Freeman's feedback and how it motivated them to improve.

Building Confidence after a Tough Game

• After a particularly bad game against Syracuse, the speaker felt uncertain about their abilities.

• Coach Freeman approached them before practice and asked for their self-assessment.

• Despite feeling disappointed in their performance, Coach Freeman reassured them that they had potential and highlighted areas for improvement.

• This conversation gave the speaker a boost of confidence and motivated them to perform better.

Overcoming Doubts and Focusing on Improvement

The speaker shares their emotional response to the Syracuse game and how Coach Freeman's encouragement helped them regain focus. They also discuss the importance of mindset in facing challenges.

Emotional Response to the Syracuse Game

• After the Syracuse game, where they performed poorly, the speaker felt overwhelmed with doubt about their future success.

• They even cried when reflecting on their performance later that night.

• However, Coach Freeman's belief in their potential gave them hope.

Shifting Mindset towards Improvement

• The following week was crucial as they faced Clemson, which became a turning point for the speaker.

• Coach Freeman's words resonated with them, emphasizing that this was their time to shine.

• The speaker realized they needed to let go of negative thoughts and focus on reaching their full potential.

Unexpected Success as a True Freshman

The conversation shifts towards discussing the speaker's early success as a true freshman player. Their breakthrough game against Clemson is highlighted along with gratitude towards Coach Freeman's guidance.

Surprising Success as a Freshman

• The speaker reflects on the significance of playing meaningful reps as a true freshman, especially against strong teams like Ohio State.

• The Clemson game became a defining moment for them, where they had two interceptions and a 90+ yard pick-six.

Gratitude towards Coach Freeman

• The speaker acknowledges that their success in the Clemson game was partly due to Coach Freeman's encouragement and belief in their abilities.

• Without his support, they might have struggled with self-doubt throughout the season.

Faith and Trust in God's Plan

The speaker discusses their faith and how it played a significant role in their journey. They emphasize the importance of relying on God rather than solely depending on themselves.

Faith and Humility

• The speaker grew up as a lifelong Notre Dame fan, but their faith in God was crucial to their success.

• They attribute their achievements to God's guidance and acknowledge that without Him, none of it would be possible.

• Rather than getting caught up in personal accomplishments, they focus on following God's plan.

Prayer and Trusting God's Will

• Before games, the speaker prays for guidance but understands that specific outcomes are not guaranteed.

• Their mindset is centered around playing for God rather than seeking personal glory.

• They believe that by surrendering to His will, good things will happen.

Family Support and Prayer

The conversation delves into the speaker's family background and how prayer has been an integral part of their lives. A story about attending a game with Sam highlights the power of prayer.

Family Support and Religious Background

• The speaker comes from a religious family where prayer holds great importance.

• Their father instilled values of staying grounded regardless of success or failure.

The Power of Prayer

• Attending a game with Sam, the speaker witnessed the power of prayer firsthand.

• Sam prayed for the speaker's success in displaying their talents during the Boston College game.

• The speaker believes that prayer played a role in their exceptional performance, with three interceptions in that game.

Staying Grounded and Focused

The speaker reflects on maintaining a balanced mindset and not letting success get to their head. They credit their family's influence and staying true to their faith for keeping them grounded.

Staying Balanced amidst Success

• Despite achieving remarkable results, the speaker acknowledges the importance of staying humble and focused.

• Their father's guidance helped them maintain a level-headed approach throughout their journey.

Faith as a Foundation

• The speaker recognizes that relying solely on themselves would lead to instability.

• By placing trust in God and following His plan, they have found consistency and fulfillment.

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source video.

Reflecting on a Fun Game

The speaker discusses the importance of appreciating each game and being grateful for the opportunities to play. They mention a specific game that was enjoyable.

Appreciating Each Game

• The speaker emphasizes that not every game will have three interceptions, so it is important to be grateful for each opportunity.

• They highlight the need to look back and appreciate what they accomplished in that particular game.

Impressive Season by Xavier

The speaker talks about Xavier's outstanding performance this season and reflects on their initial impression of his skills during fall camp.

Xavier's Performance

• The speaker mentions how they anticipated Xavier having a great season during fall camp.

• They recall a scrimmage where Xavier demonstrated exceptional skills, intercepting the ball with impressive technique.

• The speaker admires Xavier's ability to anticipate plays and catch interceptions.

• This experience made the speaker realize that Xavier would have an exceptional year.

Close Bond with Teammates

The speaker expresses their admiration for their teammates' performances and highlights the strong bond within the team.

Strong Team Bond

• The speaker describes how close they are to their teammates, considering them as real brothers.

• They express joy in seeing their teammates shine on the field, specifically mentioning Cam's understanding of struggles from the previous year.

• Despite facing challenges, Cam has shown resilience and is currently having an impressive season.

Admiration for Teammates' Success

The speaker continues discussing their admiration for their teammates' hard work and success throughout the season.

Appreciation for Teammates' Success

• The speaker acknowledges Cam's dedication and hard work, especially after a previous injury.

• They express happiness for Cam's current success and recognize the effort he has put in to achieve it.

Conclusion

The podcast host concludes the episode, expressing gratitude for the guest's participation and wishing them continued success.

Conclusion

• The host thanks the guest, Benjamin Morrison, for joining the Varsity House podcast.

• They apologize for interrupting and appreciate Benjamin's insights.

• The host wishes Benjamin nothing but success for the future.