Greatest Notre Dame Football Players

There are All-Americans and All-Pros, but only the rare athlete excels at both levels.

Greatest Notre Dame Football Players

Joe Montana played quarterback for three seasons at Notre Dame.

Of the 25,000-plus who played in the NFL through the 2018 season, roughly 1 of every 50 were Notre Dame products, more than any school in the country.

Touchdown Jesus did not create them equal. Some were All-Americans in college but little or no factor in the pros. Others were difference-makers in the pros, not so much in college. Only a select few left their marks at both levels.

They are the true GOATs in Irish football history, and here they are.

Note: Incomplete statistics are marked with asterisks.

25. Rocky Bleier, Running Back

Robert (Rocky) Bleier — Robert "Rocky" Bleier in 1965.

NCAA career: 1965-67

NCAA stats: 30 G, 6.7 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 6.0 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 0.5 TDS/G

All-America selection: None

NCAA championships: 1966

NFL career: 1968, 1971-80

NFL teams: Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL stats: 140 G, 7.6 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 4.8 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 0.2 TDS/G

Pro Bowls: None

Super Bowl titles: 1974-75, 1978-79

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: OK, so I’m a sucker for a Rocky story. Subpoena me.

True, the one-time Irish captain didn’t wow anyone with athleticism, but he was tough and he was clutch and he was a five-time champion.

Not even a bullet and grenade shrapnel that ripped apart his right leg and foot in the Vietnam War could stop "The Rock."

Somehow, he came back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. In the thick of the Steelers dynasty.

How’s that for a Hollywood ending?

24. Tom Clements, Quarterback

NCAA career: 1972-74

NCAA stats: 31 G, .541 CMP%, 115.9 YDS/G, 0.8 TDS/G

All-America: None

NCAA championships: 1973

CFL career: 1975-79, 1981-87

CFL teams: Ottawa Rough Riders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

CFL stats: 182 G, .603 CMP%, 214.5 YDS/G, 1.4 PASS TDS/G

CFL All-Star: 1975-77, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1987

CFL championships: 1976, 1984

Hall of Fame: CFL

NFL career: 1980

NFL teams: Kansas City Chiefs

NFL stats: 1 G, .583 CMP%, 77.0 YDS/G, 0.0 TDS/G

Pro Bowls: None

NFL championships: 2010 (assistant coach)

Bottom line: Thirty-six yards on third-and-9, Alex. "Who Was Tom Clements?"

That was the memorable sleight-of-hand that the 1973 Sugar Bowl MVP pulled off against Alabama in what amounted to the national title game.

Fun fact: Clements was the only quarterback to beat a Bear Bryant-coached team twice in bowl games.

Later, he became a two-time Grey Cup champion, then Green Packers quarterbacks coach in their Super Bowl XLV season. Consider this to be a career achievement award.

23. Mike McCoy, Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1967-69

NCAA stats: N/A

All-America: 1969

NCAA championships: None

NFL career: 1970-80

NFL teams: Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, Detroit Lions

NFL stats: 132 G, 16 FR, 1 INT

Pro Bowls: None

Super Bowl titles: None

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: The 2010 Nagurski Legends Award recipient was cited as one of the best defensive players of the previous 40 years.

As the second pick of the 1970 draft — future Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw was numero uno — Mike McCoy failed to live up to unrealistic expectations in the pros.

Still, he was good enough to be a dependable starter with the Packers for seven seasons.

22. Zack Martin, Offensive Tackle-Guard

NCAA career: 2010-13

NCAA stats: 52 G, 1 fumble recovery

All-America: 2011-12

NCAA championships: None

NFL career: 2014-present

NFL teams: Dallas Cowboys

NFL stats: 78 G, 2 FR

All-Pro: 2014-18

Super Bowl titles: None

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: The blind-side tackle was a mainstay with the 2012 team whose only loss was in the national championship game.

Zack Martin is the only offensive lineman to be the MVP of a bowl game since the 1960 season.

He has been no less dominant in the pros. In fact, so much so that some consider him to be the best Cowboys player.

21. Allen Pinkett, Running Back-Kickoff Returner

NCAA career: 1982-85

NCAA stats: 43 G/22.4 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 5.1 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 1.2 TDS/G

All-America: 1983-84

NCAA championships: None

NFL career: 1986-91

NFL teams: Houston Oilers

NFL stats: 87 G/7.8 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 4.8 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 0.3 TDS/G

Pro Bowls: None

Super Bowl titles: None

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: The 5-foot-9 back ranks first in rush touchdowns (49) and second in yards (4,131) in Notre Dame football history. And that’s a lot of history, Junior.

While Allen Pinkett didn’t quite measure up in the pros — literally — he proved to be a dependable situational back and return man, nonetheless.

20. Justin Tuck, Defensive End-Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 2002-04

NCAA stats: 35 G, 24.5 SK, FR N/A

All-America: None

NCAA championships: None

NFL career: 2005-15

NFL teams: New York Giants, Oakland Raiders

NFL stats: 147 G/66.5 SK, 6 FR, 3 IN T, 1 TD

Pro Bowls: 2008, 2010

Super Bowl titles: 2007, 2011

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: If his last name had been Manning, the all-time Notre Dame sacks leader would be the rare defensive player with one, if not two, Super Bowl MVP awards. And he would be much further up this list.

"The Freak" recorded the most sacks in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI and forced a crucial fumble in the latter. Without him and the defense, the Giants wouldn’t have won either one.

No matter. For someone who was hampered by knee problems for much of his career, he carved out quite a niche for himself.

19. Ricky Watters, Flanker-Running Back-Punt Returner

NCAA career: 1987-90

NCAA stats: 45 G, 8.1 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 6.6 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 0.6 TD/G

All-America: None

NCAA championships: 1988

NFL career: 1992-01

NFL teams: San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks

NFL stats: 144 G, 21.4 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 4.8 RUN-PASS YDS/TOUCH, 0.6 TD/G

Pro Bowls:1992-96

Super Bowl titles: 1994

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: Is it possible that Ricky Watters was too multi-talented for his own good? Could be.

As a sophomore flanker, he was the No. 1 pass-catcher for the 1988 national champions. One year later, coach Lou Holtz moved him to the backfield, where he was the No. 2 rusher for the 1989 national runners-up.

Running Watters was even more of a factor in the pros, where he produced five 1,000-plus-yard seasons on the ground and scored three touchdowns in the 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX rout against the Chargers.

18. Todd Lyght, Cornerback

NCAA career: 1987-90

NCAA stats: 46 G, 11 INT, 0 FR, 1 TD

All-America: 1989-90

NCAA championships: 1988

NFL careers: 1991-2002

NFL teams: Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions

NFL statistics: 175 G, 37 INT, 6 FR, 6 TD

Pro Bowls: 1999

Super Bowl titles: 1999

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: Hard to argue that Todd Lyght is the most accomplished defensive back in Notre Dame history.

He’s among the select few at any position to achieve All-America and Pro Bowl status and play with NCAA and Super Bowl championship teams.

In 1989, his eight interceptions and 46 tackles as a Thorpe Award finalist set the standard at the position for the Irish.

17. Chris Zorich, Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1988-90

NCAA stats: N/A

All-America: 1989-90

NCAA championships: 1988

NFL career: 1991-97

NFL teams: Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins

NFL stats: 84 G, 16.5 SK, 6 FR, 1 TD

Hall of Fame: None

Pro Bowls: None

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom line: The converted linebacker played every game like it was a five-alarm fire.

The sophomore was an emotional leader for the unbeaten 1988 national champs, yet he was even better in the next two seasons, which resulted in All-America honors and a Lombardi Trophy Award selection.

In the NFL, Chris Zorich led the Bears in tackles for three consecutive seasons before a knee injury shortened his career.

16. Dave Casper, Offensive Tackle-Tight End

NCAA career: 1971-73

NCAA stats: 30 G, 0.7 REC/G, 16.0 YDS/REC, 0.2 TD/G

All-America: 1973

NCAA championships: 1973

Halls of Fame: College

NFL career: 1974-84

NFL teams: Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings

NFL stats: 147 G, 2.6 REC/G, 13.8 YDS/REC, 0.4 TD/G

Pro Bowls: 1976-80

Super Bowl titles: 1977

Halls of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: It raised some eyebrows when "The Ghost" was afforded a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame, the result of no more than one season at tight end in a run-heavy offense. There can no doubt about his NFL career, however.

The four-time All-Pro selection was involved in several memorable plays, "The Holler Roller" and "Ghost to the Post" among them.

Fun fact: He was the first Notre Dame product to score a Super Bowl touchdown.

15. Jim Lynch, Linebacker

NCAA career: 1964–66

NCAA stats: 29 G, 4 INT, 1 FR

All-America: 1966

NCAA championships: 1966

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1967-77

NFL teams: Kansas City Chiefs

NFL stats: 151 G, 17 INT, 14 FR

Pro Bowls: 1968

Super Bowl titles: 1969

Bottom line: Said his coach Ara Parseghian, "I am often asked who was the best player to coach, and Jim Lynch always comes to mind."

The captain of the 1966 national champs was one of the few defensive players to capture the Maxwell Trophy as the best all-around player in the country.

He went on to a solid pro career, the highlight of which came in a Chiefs Super Bowl IV victory over the Vikings.

14. Jim Martin, Offensive End-Guard-Linebacker-Kicker

NCAA career: 1946-49

NCAA stats: N/A

All-America: 1949

NCAA championships: 1946-47, 1949

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1950-64

NFL teams: Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins

NFL stats: 166 G, 6 INT, 11 FR, 92 FG, .479 FG%

Pro Bowls: 1961

NFL championships: 1950, 1952-53, 1957

Bottom line: Which team won the NCAA or NFL title? There was a time that, if you answered "the one with Jim Martin," you would have been correct seven times in a dozen seasons.

Known as "Jungle Jim" for his Pacific War service, the Bronze Star recipient was more versatile than a Swiss Army knife. The four-year starter never lost a game in college, first as a two-way end then as a two-way tackle.

Oh, and he became the first NFL player to boot as many as two 50-plus-yard field goals in the same game, too.

13. Bill Fischer, Guard-Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1945-48

NCAA stats: N/A

All-America: 1947-48

NCAA championships: 1946-47

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1949-53

NFL teams: Chicago Cardinals

NFL stats: 59 G, SK N/A, 10 FR, 1 INT

Pro Bowls: 1950-52

NFL championships: None

Bottom line: As a former lineman himself, Coach Frank Leahy had a soft spot for the grunts in the trenches. He had reason to like this left guard known as "Moose" even more.

In his final three seasons, the 1948 Outland Trophy winner laid the groundwork for powerhouses that rushed for 282.5 yards per game.

The 10th pick of the 1949 NFL draft was a special player at the next level as well.

12. Raghib Ismail, Wide Receiver-Halfback-Kick Returner

Raghib “Rocket” Ismail — Raghib "Rocket" Ismail during a game against Air Force in 1999.

NCAA career: 1988-90

NCAA stats: 34 G, 5.9 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 12.8 YDS/TOUCH, 0.4 TD/G

All-America: 1989-90

NCAA championships: 1988

CFL career: 1991-92

CFL teams: Toronto Argonauts

CFL stats: 33 G, 5.2 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 14.0 YDS/TOUCH, 0.6 TD/G

NFL career: 1993-2001

NFL teams: Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys

NFL stats: 126 G, 2.9 REC/G, 14.6 YDS/REC, 0.2 TD/G

CFL All-Star: 1991

Pro Bowls: None

CFL championships: 1991

Super Bowl titles: None

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: Was "Rocket the funnest player to watch in Notre Dame history or what? When the 180-pound blur had the ball, even Touchdown Jesus held his breath.

In his college career, Raghib Ismail averaged a ridiculous 12.8 yards per touch from scrimmage, 27.6 yards per kickoff return and 13.1 per punt runback.

He went on to become a Gray Cup MVP and produce consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as an NFL wide receiver.

Turned out only coach Lou Holtz could stop him.

11. Bob Golic, Linebacker-Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1976-78

NCAA stats: 33 G, 6 INT, SK and FR N/A

All-America: 1977-78

NCAA championships: 1977

NFL career: 1979-92

NFL teams: New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders

NFL stats: 187 G, *22.5 SK, 5 FR, 1 INT, 1 TD

Pro Bowls: 1985-87

Super Bowl titles: None

Hall of Fame: None

Bottom line: Will someone kindly explain why this tackle machine isn’t in the College Football Hall of Fame? An accomplished heavyweight wrestler in high school and college, Bob Golic had an uncanny ability to shed blocks and get to the ball.

His 471 career takedowns rank second in Notre Dame history. He also owns two of the top seven single-season totals.

In the pros, he made a successful move to tackle, where few were better at the position in the 1980s decade.

10. Ross Browner, Defensive End-Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1973, 1975-77

NCAA stats: 46 G, SK N/A, 12 FR, 1 TD

All-America: 1976-77

NCAA championships: 1973, 1977

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1978-87

NFL teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers

NFL stats: 138 G, *30.5 SK, 10 FR, 1 INT

Pro Bowl selections: None

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom line: The two-time national champion was akin to a Category 5 hurricane — he blew in hard and just wouldn’t stop.

His 340 career tackles are the most for an Irish lineman from here to Kokomo. He also pulled off the rare trifecta as a Lombardi, Maxwell and Outland Trophy winner.

Yet his greatest feat might have been this: a fifth-place finish in the 1977 Heisman Trophy race, almost unheard of for someone at his side of the ball.

9. Tim Brown, Wide Receiver-Kick Returner

NCAA career: 1984-87

NCAA stats: 43 G, 3.2 REC/G, 18.2 YDS/REC, 0.5 TD/G

All-America: 1986-87

NCAA championships: None

Halls of Fame: College

NFL career: 1988-2004

NFL teams: Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL stats: 255 G, 4.3 REC/G, 13.7 YDS/REC, 0.4 TD/G

All-Pro: 1988, 1991, 1993-97, 1999, 2001

Super Bowl titles: None

Halls of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: Had the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner been part of a championship team or two, he would be higher on the list. As it was, he didn’t play for the big prize until his final game in a Raiders uniform. By then, he was 36 years old.

At his best, "Touchdown Timmy" was one of the all-time game-breakers. He reached the end zone no fewer than 127 times in his career — 112 on pass receptions, six on punt returns, five on runs from scrimmage, four on kickoff returns.

Yet he isn’t remembered as the GOAT as much as the BNDPNTWTBO — Best Notre Dame Player Never To Win The Big One.

8. Jerome Bettis, Fullback-Running Back

NCAA career: 1990-92

NCAA stats: 34 G, 10.9 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 6.3 YDS/TOUCH, 1.0 TD/G

All-America: None

NCAA championships: None

NFL career: 1993-2004

NFL teams: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL stats: 192 G, 19.2 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 5.1 YDS/TOUCH, 0.5 TD/G

All-Pro: 1993-94, 1996-97, 2001, 2004

Super Bowl titles: 2005

Hall of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: Maybe there was a better short-yardage runner than this 250-plus-pound load — just maybe — but none did more between the tackles in his career.

Among true fullbacks, "The Bus" was the top ground-gainer in NFL history and No. 7 overall through the 2018 season. (YouTube his decapitation of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher in the 2005 season. It may be the greatest exhibition of smash-mouth ever.)

At Notre Dame, he pounded out 33 touchdowns, third-most in modern school history. And if the guy hadn’t turned pro after his junior year, he might be the all-time leader.

7. Joe Theismann, Quarterback-Punt Returner

NCAA career: 1968-70

NCAA stats: 30 G, .570 CMP%, 147.0 YDS/G, 1.0 TD/G

All-America: 1970

NCAA championships: None

Hall of Fame: College

CFL career: 1971-73

CFL teams: Toronto Argonauts

CFL stats: 34 G, .563 CMP%, 179.2 YDS/G, 1.2 TD/G

CFL All-Star: None

CFL championships: None

NFL career: 1974-85

NFL teams: Washington Redskins

NFL stats: 30 G, .570 CMP%, 150.9 YDS/G, 1.0 TD/G

All-Pro: 1982-83

Super Bowl titles: 1982

Bottom line: "Captain Bubbly" (I kid you not) was one of the truly grate players in football history. The cocky quarterback even changed his name to rhyme with Heisman, for cry sakes. (He finished second in the 1970 vote.)

It was because of that sandpaper personality that many critics were reluctant to give the man his due. Fact is, his teams won two of every three games that he started — 84 percent (20-3-2 record) in college, 62 percent (77-47) in the pros.

Only one other Irish quarterback can claim an NFL MVP and Super Bowl victory in his career. That would be Joe Montana, natch.

6. Johnny Lujack, Quarterback-Defensive Back

NCAA career: 1943, 1946-47

NCAA stats: 28 G, .514 CMP%, 74.3 YDS/G, 0.7 TD/G

All-America: 1946-47

NCAA championships: 1943, 1946-47

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1948-51

NFL teams: Chicago Bears

NFL stats: 45 G, .500 CMP%, 139.3 YDS/G, 0.9 TD/G

Pro Bowls: 1950-51

NFL championships: None

Bottom line: As the on-field leader of the golden age of Irish football, the gifted four-sport star was the envy of young athletes everywhere.

His most significant play took place on defense in the 1946 season, when he famously brought down Army great Doc Blanchard in the open field to preserve a scoreless deadlock and ultimately a dynasty.

One year later, he added the Heisman Trophy and Athlete of the Year Award to his legend as the only quarterback to guide three teams to national titles.

After four productive NFL seasons, he reunited with coach Frank Leahy as an assistant.

5. Alan Page, Defensive End-Defensive Tackle

NCAA career: 1964-66

NCAA stats: 29 G, SK N/A, 4 FR, 1 TD

All-America: 1966

NCAA championships: 1966

Halls of Fame: College

NFL career: 1967-81

NFL teams: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears

NFL stats: 218 G, SK N/A, 23 FR, 2 INT, 3 TD

Pro Bowls: 1968-76

NFL/Super Bowl titles: None

Halls of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: One of the first moves that defensive coordinator Johnny Ray made was among his best. He planted the 6-foot-4, 235-pound sophomore at the right side of the line, where the kid took the role of blind-side edge-rusher to a whole 'nother level.

Alan Page was such a spit disturber, opponents had no choice but to run at him or assign a second or third blocker on pass plays.

That partly explains how the 1966 national champs allowed a total of 24 points — in their final nine games.

In his second Hall of Fame career, the perennial All-Pro made four Super Bowl appearances as a tackle.

4. Leon Hart, Offensive End-Defensive End-Fullback

NCAA career: 1946-49

NCAA stats: 38 G, 1.3 REC/G, 15.3 YDS/REC 0.1 TD/G, SK N/A, 8 FR

All-America: 1948-49

NCAA championships: 1946-47, 1949

Hall of Fame: College

NFL career: 1950-57

NFL teams: Detroit Lions

NFL stats: 92 G, 1.9 REC/G, 14.4 YDS/REC, 0.3 TD/G

All-Pro selections: 1951

NFL championships: 1952-53, 1957

Bottom line: The massive 60-minute man starred in a run-dominant era, so don’t let those modest numbers fool ya.

All you need to know is this: The 1949 Heisman and Maxwell Trophy winner was the best player in the country with the greatest team in Notre Dame history.

And this: In his four seasons as the BMOC, the Irish compiled a 36-0-2 record and captured three national titles.

Two years after graduation, he moved exclusively to offense with the NFL champion Lions and had his best pro season — 12 touchdowns and First-Team All-Pro honors.

Wherever the guy went, he raised the floor around him. That’s the mark of an all-time great.

3. George Connor, Offensive Tackle-Defensive Tackle-Linebacker

NCAA carer: 1942-43, 1946-47

NCAA stats: N/A

All-America: 1943, 1946-47

NCAA championships: 1946-47

Halls of Fame: College

NFL career: 1948-55

NFL teams: Chicago Bears

Halls of Fame: Pro

NFL stats: 91 G, 10 FR, 7 INT, 1 TD

All-Pro: 1950-53

NFL championships: None

Bottom line: The first-ever Outland Trophy winner remains the consensus pick as the best lineman in Irish history.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound package of smarts, strength and agility was a chiseled beast. "The closest thing to a Greek God since Apollo," famed sportswriter Grantland Rice once said of him.

The Holy Cross transfer was a rock for two national championship teams in as many seasons in South Bend. And get this: His team never trailed in any of the 18 games.

Then, the four-time All-Pro led the new wave of mobile linebackers in the NFL before knee issues forced his retirement.

2. Joe Montana, Quarterback

NCAA career: 1975, 77-78

NCAA stats: 27 G, .520 CMP%, 152.6 YDS/G, 0.9 TD/G

All-America: None

NCAA championships: 1977

NFL career: 1979-1990, 1992-94

NFL teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs

NFL stats: 192 G, .632 CMP%, 211.2 YDS/G, 1.4 TD/G

All-Pro: 1981, 1983-85, 1987, 1989-90, 1993

Super Bowl titles: 1981, 1984, 1988-89

Hall of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: I know, I know. The insanely popular "Joe Cool" ranks No. 1 in virtually every fan poll on the subject. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of NFL quarterbacks. He engineered the 1977 national championship. And, no, I haven’t forgotten the Chicken Soup Game (also known as the 1979 Cotton Bowl), either.

It’s just that we tend to forget the college version (25 touchdowns, 25 interceptions) was much different than the otherworldly one that would come later.

Sorry, people, this isn’t a popularity contest.

1. Paul Hornung, Halfback-Quarterback-Defensive Back-Kicker

NCAA career: 1954-57

NCAA stats: 30 G, 7.1 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 5.1 YDS/TOUCH, 0.5 TD/G, 10 INT

All-America: 1955

NCAA championships: None

Halls of Fame: College

NFL career: 1958-62, 1964-66

NFL teams: Green Bay Packers

NFL stats: 104 G, 9.8 RUN-PASS TOUCHES/G, 5.1 YDS/TOUCH, 0.6 TD/G, 66 FG, .471 FG%

All-Pro: 1959-61

NFL-Super Bowl championships: 1961-63, 1965-66

Halls of Fame: Pro

Bottom line: No Notre Dame player checked more boxes than this triple threat. All-America. Heisman Trophy. NFL Most Valuable Player. NFL champion (five times). Halls of Fame (yeah, all three of them — high school included).

Yet the do-it-all didn’t just play the part. The blonde heartthrob looked it.

Who better to be the all-time Golden Domer than the one who defined the brand, "The Golden Boy" himself?