“‘I Let ‘Em Have It’: Former Ohio State QB Details Heated Confrontation With Notre Dame Fans”

In the world of college football, the rivalries may not always appear on a schedule, but they live year-round in the hearts and voices of fans. While Ohio State and Notre Dame don’t share a traditional conference rivalry, the blue-blood programs often find themselves circling one another in national conversations — or crossing paths in high-stakes games. But for one former Ohio State quarterback, the animosity extended well beyond the field, spilling into a heated, unexpected moment that still lingers in his memory.

During a recent appearance on a podcast, the former Buckeyes signal-caller opened up about an intense and personal encounter with Notre Dame fans — one that took place not in the stadium, but in the stands after a game. What started as jeers escalated into a fiery verbal exchange, and for a few minutes, the line between fan passion and outright hostility was completely erased.

He didn’t hold back when telling the story, either.

“I let ‘em have it,” the quarterback said with a slight grin that barely masked the tension still simmering behind his recollection. “They were chirping at me for a while, and I finally just snapped.”

The quarterback, who had led Ohio State to a high-profile win over the Irish during his playing career, said the encounter happened during a return visit to South Bend — this time as a fan. While he didn’t dress in scarlet and gray to make a statement, his presence alone apparently sparked the ire of some Notre Dame supporters nearby.

“I was just there to enjoy the game,” he said. “I wasn’t wearing anything Ohio State-related. But people recognized me. That’s when it started.”

According to him, the initial comments were relatively tame — a few playful jabs, some competitive banter. But as the night wore on, things turned. What started with a few fans became a chorus, then a crowd, and before long, he found himself surrounded by jeers, insults, and taunts that went far beyond football.

“They were talking about stuff that had nothing to do with the game,” he recalled. “Bringing up old rumors, family stuff, all kinds of things. At first, I tried to laugh it off, but then one of them crossed a line.”

That line, as he described it, wasn’t about football. It wasn’t even about him. It was a comment aimed at someone close to him — someone who had nothing to do with the game, the rivalry, or the trash talk. That was the breaking point.

“That’s when I turned around and let them have it,” he said. “I wasn’t about to sit there and let people talk crazy about my family. You can talk about me all day. That’s fine. I’ve heard it all before. But there are certain things you just don’t say.”

What followed was a verbal exchange that drew the attention of nearby fans, stadium security, and even some Notre Dame supporters who tried to defuse the situation. But the quarterback didn’t back down.

“I’m not proud of it, but I also don’t regret it,” he said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to stand up for yourself. People think just because you’re a player or a former player, you’re supposed to take whatever comes your way. Nah. I’m a human being first.”

The quarterback acknowledged that emotions were high on both sides. Notre Dame had just lost a heartbreaker, and the atmosphere in the stadium was raw. But he also said there’s a line between passion and disrespect — a line he believes fans too often cross without consequences.

“College football is intense. I get it. But there’s a difference between yelling ‘Go Irish!’ and yelling the kind of stuff they were yelling,” he said. “I’ve been in hostile environments before. I’ve played in Ann Arbor. I’ve played in Happy Valley. This was different. This felt personal.”

He admitted that part of his reaction stemmed from the pride he carries for his alma mater. As a former quarterback, he knows what it means to wear the Ohio State uniform, to represent the program in front of millions, and to deal with the pressure that comes with it. That pride, he said, never goes away — even after the final snap.

“People think it’s just a game, but for us, it’s everything,” he explained. “You put your heart into it. You sacrifice so much. So when someone disrespects that — disrespects the people you did it with or did it for — it cuts deep.”

Interestingly, he also noted that some Notre Dame fans came up to him after the incident and apologized for what happened, acknowledging that the taunting had gone too far. That gesture, he said, meant a lot.

“Look, I don’t hold it against all Notre Dame fans. Most of them are great people,” he said. “But in that moment, some folks forgot there’s a human being on the other end of that jersey. I appreciated the ones who stepped in and said, ‘That’s not who we are.’”

As the interview went on, the former quarterback reflected on how common it’s become for athletes — current and former — to deal with confrontations like the one he experienced. He pointed to the increasing hostility that players face on social media and in public, and said fans sometimes need a reminder that athletes have emotions, families, and boundaries just like anyone else.

“People think because you’re on TV or played at a big school that you’re not real,” he said. “But we are. And if you cross a certain line, you’re going to get a real response.”

He also said the confrontation hasn’t soured his view of Notre Dame, its fans, or college football in general. If anything, it reminded him how much people care — sometimes too much — about the sport he loves.

“I love that people care. I love that it means something,” he said. “But we’ve got to remember why we love it in the first place. It’s about school pride. Tradition. Brotherhood. Not tearing each other down just to feel big.”

The story, raw as it was, has since gone viral, sparking a wide range of reactions from fans across the country. Some praised the quarterback for standing his ground. Others criticized him for not walking away. But most agreed on one thing — the passion of college football is unlike anything else.

For his part, the quarterback says he’s moved on, though he won’t forget that night anytime soon.

“Would I handle it the same way again? I don’t know,” he said. “But I know I stood up for what I believed in. And I’ll never apologize for that.”

He also offered a final message to fans on both sides of the rivalry — and across the college football landscape.

“Cheer loud. Talk trash. That’s part of the game,” he said. “But don’t forget — the guys on the field and the guys who used to be out there, we’re people too. Respect that. And we’ll respect you right back.”

In a sport where emotions often overflow and rivalries run deep, stories like this serve as a powerful reminder that the game is played by people, not just players. And while the scoreboard may settle the outcome, the human side of football is never far behind — in the stands, in the parking lots, and in the hearts of those who gave everything to the game.