'11 NM OT Matthew Hegarty (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[NDFANnSouthWest]

That seems promising doesn't it. But i bet he is way out of shape. And probably can't get back to working out for awhile.

Since he was a local kid I watched him very closely at the camps, and to know now that he was not a 100% it makes me think (assuming he fully recovers like reported above) he will come back stronger (may take some time).

 

[Old Man Mike]

Lord Almighty.... what a mindnumbing piece of information....

My first impression [other than tearing up a bit] was: why throw such a thing into the life of this great young guy? Then I read the information from his parents slowly --- his doctors have released him already and he's at the game with his buddies. Maybe he IS going to be OK.

If this is his early life test, I think that Matt Hegarty is going to pass it. If the surgery was competent, and the lifestyle changes to ameliorate the possibility of clotting work without detriment to his physicality, this guy is the kind of guy who will be back stronger than he was before.

I'm a bit calmer now.

Blessings on you young Matthew. Get strong Warrior.

 

[Chi_IRISH]

He will be fine no need to rush need ya next year big man! Great news

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Scary.. glad he was helped. Take it easy, young man.

 

[PANDFAN]

That is unbelievable. Thank heaven this problem was caught and corrected.

And what a great outcome. Matt will not only recover, but he'll play again. He'll not only play again, but with the increased oxygen, he'll be a better player than anyone could have expected!

actually just got back from a viewing....how he has played and not had serious complications is beyond me! glad everything is ok now!

 

[Ironman8]

Brian Hamilton ‏@ChiTribHamilton

During #NotreDame walk-through on Nov. 8, Matt Hegarty "suddenly was unable to speak or write," his father said. That was the mini-stroke.

 

[Walter White]

Praises! Truly amazing outcome to a truly horrifying situation.

 

[Redbar]

Great news for 1) Matt and his family and 2) Notre Dame football

Yes. This.

 

[ND NYC]

pulling for Matt to have full recovery (sounds like he will)...and if ND football is part of that, fine, if not thats fine too, he will forever be an ND Man no matter the outcome on the field.

 

[rtrn2glory]

unbelievable how this poor kid had to play with that for so long. what a testament to the athlete and the man that he is.

Go Irish!! Go Matt!!!

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Oh my...glad it was handled and he can live well

 

[Rhode Irish]

First thing that popped into my head when I read about this today was "Tedy Bruschi." I root hard for all of our guys, but I'll be rooting especially hard for Matt. Godspeed.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

First thing that popped into my head when I read about this today was "Tedy Bruschi." I root hard for all of our guys, but I'll be rooting especially hard for Matt. Godspeed.

this ^

 

[Emcee77]

First thing that popped into my head when I read about this today was "Tedy Bruschi." I root hard for all of our guys, but I'll be rooting especially hard for Matt. Godspeed.

Yep, I just read that Hegarty didn't know about Bruschi's stroke, but Cave told him about it, and he immediately went out and bought Bruschi's book. Huge inspiration to him.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I'm sure Tedy will reach out to him, or at the very least if Matt reached out to Tedy I'm sure Tedy would be happy to talk to him. Tedy is good peoples, and I'm sure someone in that locker room can get Matt in touch with Charlie....the rest will just happen.

 

[Riddickulous]

This team is full of warriors. I love it.

 

[Irish To The Core]

Like the rest of you I am stunned and at the same time inspired by Matt Hegarty's story. We can all be thankful that it happened as it did, in public, close to great medical help and turned out so incredibly well.

Forget Chuck Norris, Matt Hegarty has just powered through a failing heart, shook off a stroke and called his next opponent forward!

I have been looking forward to Matt stepping in on the O-Line ever since he committed, this makes his story something else, something special. Go Matt!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Did any of you see the 1:45 sec piece on the ND Football team walking through the Children's Hospital?

A) Hegarty was shown in more than passing and he looked pretty damn good for having pretty major surgery last month;

B) He was all about the patients at the hospital, talk about a man for others!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

God bless this young man!

 

[Ironman8]

Per 24/7, cleared to resume football activities on March 15th. Has been lifting with the team, and is back to squatting in the 500 pound range.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

That's great news!! Thanks for the info!

 

[clashmore_mike]

excellent news

 

[Bogtrotter07]

That is one question answered! Couldn't be happier for Matt and his family!

 

[rtrn2glory]

good for him and the team...need depth on the O line and very possible he starts next year

 

[TheChosen1]

good for him and the team...need depth on the O line and very possible he starts next year

...agreed could see him as the starting center

 

[Rizzophil]

I think either Hegarty or Martin start at center.

 

[ND NYC]

great news happy for the kid

 

[FearTheBeard]

This sounds great, what is it looking like on the offensive line next year? Do you guys think we'll be better or worse than last season??

 

[ryno 24]

a little better. Right guard is going to be better. Its going to be hard to be better at center. But other than that it will stay the same.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

a little better. Right guard is going to be better. Its going to be hard to be better at center. But other than that it will stay the same.

I love all Braxton gave the University. But Braxton was an improvement over Olsen; Hegarty, Harrell, or Martin will be an improvement over Cave. They are bigger and faster. As solid as Braxton was, he had a hard time going out and getting a linebacker in a little space, and the Combine is revealing some weaknesses physically as well. He did all he could, worked his a$s off. My point is only one, with two parts: We did more with less this year; and through recruiting and player development there is a ton of improvement we can do.

Martin will be better; Watt will be better; Watching Lombard at the end of the seaon, he will be much better; Right guard will be better; and center could be bigger stronger faster and better.

Same with defense. All three parts next year, line, lb's and defensive backfield could be improved.