Catholics vs. Convicts 30 for 30 Seasong 3, Episode 3 IMBD TV-G 1h 42m
“On October 15, 1988, Notre Dame hosted the University of Miami in what would become one of the greatest games in college football history. It was tradition vs. swagger, the No. 4-ranked Fighting Irish versus the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes, one coaching star, Lou Holtz, versus another, Jimmy Johnson. But the name still attached to the contest came from a t-shirt manufactured by a few Notre Dame students: “Catholics vs. Convicts.” In this 30 for 30 documentary, director and narrator Patrick Creadon (Wordplay, I.O.U.S.A.) doesn’t just look back on the epic game. He explores the deeper narrative as a Notre Dame senior at the time, a close friend to the young men in the middle of the “Catholics vs. Convicts” controversy (Joe Fredrick and Pat Walsh) and a fellow classmate of the player behind center for the Fighting Irish (quarterback Tony Rice). The coaches and players open up about the fight that started the game, the highly debatable calls that are still being talked about and the insensitive aspects of the irresistibly popular t-shirt. As compelling as the tale of Notre Dame’s dramatic victory is-even losing quarterback Steve Walsh calls it “a helluva ballgame”-the backstory is just as riveting.”
AI “People in Catholics vs Convicts”
Documentary Filmmaker:
- Patrick Creadon: A Notre Dame graduate who directed the 2016 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Catholics vs. Convicts.
The T-Shirt Creators & Students:
- Joe Frederick: A Notre Dame student and basketball player who came up with the “Catholics vs. Convicts” slogan after watching a news report about Miami players getting arrested.
- Pat Walsh: The Notre Dame student who designed and printed the unauthorized T-shirts.
- Mike “Eggroll” Caponigro: Frederick’s roommate who helped sell and distribute the shirts around campus.
Notre Dame Key Figures:
- Lou Holtz: Head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, famous for his pregame locker room speech ahead of the matchup.
- Tony Rice: Notre Dame’s star quarterback.
- Pat Terrell: Notre Dame safety who batted down Miami’s two-point conversion attempt in the final minute to seal the 31–30 win.
- Chris Zorich: Defensive standout for Notre Dame.
Miami Hurricanes Key Figures:
- Jimmy Johnson: Head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
- Steve Walsh: Star quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes.
- Cleveland Gary: Miami running back.
- Darius Frazier & Michael Johnson: Two Miami players whose arrests prior to the 1988 season helped spark the controversial moniker.