"Rocket" Ismail - Notre Dame Legend?

[We_Are_ND]

I feel Rocket gets lost in the mix when we discuss Notre Dame legends/greats. To me, no one has been as electrifying or has showed the true Notre Dame spirit as the "Rocket".

Watching highlights and interviews just makes me so pumped up to be an Irish fan, and even more pumped up of the upcoming season. Can we produce another "Rocket"? Or has our time passed? Some may say Golden Tate resembles Raghib, but if you look at the highlights, it isn't even close.

Discuss?

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You gotta love his endzone celebration also, kneel and say a prayer, classic.

 

[Praytorian]

I don't think I could ever name a favorite player from ND. If I had to put them in order. He would be in the top tier.
Any time he touched the ball you could just feel the electricity pumping throughout your body expecting something BIG. The speed and agility not to mention the ability to break some tackles made him pure AWESOMENESS.

P.S. One of the things I love about ND and ND athletics, our atheletes can speak well. Look at Dez Bryant from Okie state last year. Then look at ALL of our atheletes it is evedent where people go to play football and where people go to get an education and play football.

Pray

 

[IrishTimer]

I named my dog "Rocket" when I was a little kid after him.

It was a girl dog but I didn't care.

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

I named my dog "Rocket" when I was a little kid after him.

It was a girl dog but I didn't care.

Makes sense you couldn't really name the dog after its huge "red rocket"

 

[BestBIrish47]

Was it Ismail that Lou commented on in recruiting......"This kid is so fast when he turns the light switch off at night, he is in bed before it gets dark"? Or was that Miller?

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

Was it Ismail that Lou commented on in recruiting......"This kid is so fast when he turns the light switch off at night, he is in bed before it gets dark"? Or was that Miller?

I think it was Powlus

 

[Rocket89]

I've always felt like it was Tim Brown that's been lost in the shuffle over the years. Graduating right before the last national title didn't help in that regard.

Rocket is the man though, I think he's still extremely popular amongst us fans.

I see a little bit of Rocket in Cierre Wood. Can't wait until he touches the ball.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Disagree. Rocket is my all time favorite ND player. Yeah I said it.

I still can't believe they screwed him against COL.

 

[tko]

watching his returns pumps me up. i'd love to see us return some kicks this year.

 

[Riddickulous]

That play against UT is godly. He goes 40 yards in about 4 seconds.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Disagree. Rocket is my all time favorite ND player. Yeah I said it.

I still can't believe they screwed him against COL.

I remember after that game they interviewed the Colorado player that got "clipped" and he said he wouldn't have gotten Rocket either way - clip or no clip. Heartbreaking loss.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Rocket ran an unofficial 40 yd dash of 4.16 in full pads at practice at ND.

Wonder who was faster, The Bullet, Primetime or Rocket? :allhail:

 

[johnnykillz]

Usain Bolt was/is faster...

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Bolt has nothing on a 40 yd dash. Chris Johnson will murk him.

 

[johnnykillz]

I bet you are high... Dude would be close to 4.3 at the least. Coach Nuetered, I mean MBeckha, may be able to correct us both.

 

[Riddickulous]

Rocket ran an unofficial 40 yd dash of 4.16 in full pads at practice at ND.

Wonder who was faster, The Bullet, Primetime or Rocket?

Bo Jackson.

Verified 4.12 at the NFL Combine in the '80's.

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Bolt ran 40m in 4.85 secs. So he would probably run in the 4.0-4.1 area for a 40 yd dash..lol

 

[NDinLA is a TROLL]

Bo Jackson.

Verified 4.12 at the NFL Combine in the '80's.

Correct me if im wrong but the NFL started electronically timing players in 2000?

 

[Riddickulous]

Correct me if im wrong but the NFL started electronically timing players in 2000?

It was hand-timed, yes. But it's definitely fast.

 

[GreatGolson]

That is what i want to see in Riddick, i know he doesnt have THAT speed, but i always feel like he is always a threat to break one, he just needed that boost blocking and to get a little faster and stronger, i am REALLY excited for kickoffs know after Kelly specifically said in his PC on kick returns "Thats something im really excited about"

 

[Junkhead]

I love the Rocket, but unfortunately he wasn't used enough. I will go on record as saying Tate was more "electrifying", as he had the ball in his hands more. Raghib was awesome, as was Tate, I hope we have someone step up this year!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I bet you are high... Dude would be close to 4.3 at the least. Coach Nuetered, I mean MBeckha, may be able to correct us both.

Tyson Gay beat Usain Bolt in the 100 today (or last night.)

Tyson Gay Crushes Usain Bolt in Stockholm 100m Battle

I would not be at all surprised if Mbeck is lurking around with another name.

I think Rocket had more chances early on to show his stuff than Tate had. Same with Brown. All three were electric and always a threat to score every time they touched the ball.

 

[BGIF]

Tyson Gay beat Usain Bolt in the 100 today (or last night.)
...

I would not be at all surprised if Mbeck is lurking around with another name.

...

duh!

Mbeckha "handled" Tyson Gay's strength and conditioning. How else could it have happened!

 

[GreatGolson]

Wow thanks for this update, you guys find out info not even related to the subject, thats really cool (not sarcastic) i wouldnt have known that otherwise, god u people are internet deities, or you have no lives, or a little of both.

 

[dannwo]

The Colorado run back ; I swear you can see the guy just take a quick glimpse to his right and see the ND defender about to block him.
I remember that nigh watching that game. And then, going to school the next day in SHOCK.

 

[phgreek]

I love the rocket. He came on the scene right on Tim Brown's heels. Tim was a big part of a turn-around for the program, and there were lofty expectations of the All-purpose ball player based on what Tim did. Rocket met and exceeded expectations. Throughout his career he played big in big games.

To me its simple...the guy was a once in a lifetime tallent that delivered under the brightest of lights.

I think everyone has a player that ignited their passion for the ND program. Rocket is my guy. (although stoney is my AVATAR...I loved how he played the game too)

As someone mentioned previously, Tate had similar qualities...Many rabid ND fans will result from Mr. Tate too...

 

[ACamp1900]

Was it Ismail that Lou commented on in recruiting......"This kid is so fast when he turns the light switch off at night, he is in bed before it gets dark"? Or was that Miller?

this quote is a stolen one from negro league ball players about cool papa bell...

anyway... Rocket is one of THE Irish legends imo...

 

[Allocco 121975]

Was it Ismail that Lou commented on in recruiting......"This kid is so fast when he turns the light switch off at night, he is in bed before it gets dark"? Or was that Miller?

The quote is originally about Satchell Paige the major league pitcher from the 50s and 60s who played in the negro leagues before the color barrier was broken

 

[twig21]

Irish Timer, can't believe you named your Rocket.
So did I. We had Rock for 16 years just put him down last week. He was quick like The Rocket as well.
I do believe Rocket Ismail is a Irish legend, yes he was known for amazing kicks returns and electric plays, but he was a incredibly tough player as well . He was on kick coverage during his Freshman season. Also, he was involved in a important play against SC in the Natl Champ year. I was in the Coliseum that day. ND was backed up at their own 1 in the first quarter. Tony Rice heaved it down field and Rocket came down with the ball at about midfield. Might seem insigfiicant because it led to no points, but it changed field position and helped set the tone for the game.
Truly a Irish Legend.

 

[ACamp1900]

this quote is a stolen one from negro league ball players about cool papa bell...

anyway... Rocket is one of THE Irish legends imo...

The quote is originally about Satchell Paige the major league pitcher from the 50s and 60s who played in the negro leagues before the color barrier was broken

As I said it was about Cool Papa Bell... and it was from the 40's... maybe even earlier