No. 11 Notre Dame's 21-14 win over No. 17 Duke Saturday evening was college football at its finest — two physical, hard-working teams punching each other in the mouth all night long until a winner emerged.
However, Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman's postgame behavior made the game even more special.
It started in tragedy, as dynamic Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard appeared to injure his ankle on Duke's final scrimmage play. He was taken to the Blue Devils' medical tent as grateful fans chanted "Riley Leonard."
Hartman, meanwhile, was shepherded to a postgame interview with ABC. After breaking down his clutch play for sideline reporter Holly Rowe, Hartman stated he intended to check on Leonard.
Which he did.
True sportsmanship 👏
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 1, 2023
Before he celebrated with his team, Sam Hartman waited to check on Duke QB Riley Leonard.
(via @JoshGrahamShow)pic.twitter.com/Gmay8dsKe1
Not only, in fact, did Hartman make a point to see how the Duke star was doing — he delayed celebrating a crucial win with teammates to do so.
The next time someone you know despairs about the rapacious, dollar-chasing nature of college football, show them this.
