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Lou Holtz was one of many well-known sports figures to speak during the Republican National Convention earlier this week. The former long-time Notre Dame football coach made comments about Joe Biden and his Catholic faith “in name only” during his speech and now Notre Dame has released a statement addressing his statement and appearance at the convention.
The statement, in which the university distances itself from Holtz in, comes courtesy of University President Rev. John I. Jenkins:
“While Coach Lou Holtz is a former coach at Notre Dame, his use of the University’s name at the Republican National Convention must not be taken to imply that the University endorses his views, any candidate or any political party. Moreover, we Catholics should remind ourselves that while we may judge the objective moral quality of another’s actions, we must never question the sincerity of another’s faith, which is due to the mysterious working of grace in that person’s heart. In this fractious time, let us remember that our highest calling is to love.”
Holtz, who will turn 84-years-old in January, coached at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996 where he posted a 100-30-2 record that included a perfect 12-0, national title-winning season in 1988.