Kareem Expects To Be Emotional On Saturday
Ken 'Kip" Kareem has been a fixture at Notre Dame games home and away over the last four years, but he was missing for a few games in October.
Kareem had hip replacement surgery on October 1st and was 'Inactive' until the Michigan game, a game he probably shouldn't have attended.
The weather made life extremely uncomfortable for Kareem and he had to leave the stands. Kareem watched the game in the concourse from his wheelchair, but it was about supporting his son.
And on Saturday, captain Khalid Kareem will run out on the field for the final time at Notre Dame Stadium to his father, a moment both wouldn't miss for the world.
"I'm looking forward to running out and hugging my parents before the game," said Kareem.
"Emotions are going to be high. I hope I'm not too emotional. I might get a little emotional, I'm not going to lie. I might tear up a little bit. I'll try not to cry, but after that, I'll try to mellow back down and focus on beating BC at that point."
The relationship between Kareem and his father has been well-documented over the years, including their film studies following the game.
"I'm always going back and watching the film either that night or if it's a night game, I'll probably wait until the morning. Last week, I watched the film, talked to my dad about what I did wrong or what I could have done better. Then I came in and talked to Coach Elston or Coach Chief (Keli'ikuewa Kekuewa) about what I could do better. I use those points for the next week."
The independent film study is something defensive line coach Mike Elston has encouraged throughout the years.
While his word goes at the end of the day, Elston wants his room to take ownership of their development and that's exactly what the 6-foot-4, 265-pounder has done.
"He stays on us and holds us accountable every day," Kareem said of Elston. "He kind of forces our defensive line unit to be accountable for ourselves. The leadership we have is fantastic. We all hold ourselves to such a high standard. Coach Elston doesn't have to say much. He talks to us when he needs, but he lets us drive the ship a little bit."
Elston letting his unit drive the ship is based on accountability and part of that came from the 4-8 season in 2016.
Kareem was just a freshman in 2016, but he and his classmates took valuable lessons from the unfortunate experiences.
"We always had our goal to win a National Championship, but the 4-8 season was a point where we never wanted to go back to," explained Kareem. "That helped fuel us in what we wanted to do. It was fuel to the fire."
We just want to leave a great legacy here and try to show we turned this program around and set the standard for the year to come. We want to boost the team for next year and give them something to build upon."
The Irish might not be in the College Football Playoff race, but back-to-back perfect seasons at home is a goal Notre Dame can cross off its list this weekend.
"It's just the standard," stated Kareem. "You come to Notre Dame and there's a standard of excellence. Having a perfect record at home is excellent. That's what we came here to do. Coach always says protect this house and that's our goal every year. That's just accomplishing a goal we set for ourselves."
Kareem is held to a higher standard than his peers as he's a captain.
There have been points in the last two seasons where the Michigan native has been banged up, but he pushed himself to keep going as his motivation was staring at him on the sideline.
"You look at guys like Trevor (Ruhland), Shaun (Crawford), Daelin (Hayes) and guys who have injury after injury. If they're still going, why can't I? If I have a little bruise here or there, I look at them and know I have to keep going. Definitely inspirational for me."
Inspiration and motivation won't be lacking for the Irish on Saturday, but it will be crucial for them to keep their emotions in check.
And Kareem will draw on advice from his father to do just that.
"It's still football," said Kareem. "Go out there and have fun is the biggest thing. Not to be too stressed out that it's my last one or be too tense or do too much. I need to go out and play my game and have fun."