Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman gave his opinion about this year’s National Championship Game taking place on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While discussing the contest being played on the same date as the historic day, Freeman detailed how tremendous an impact King had on all Americans.
Despite Freeman’s team qualifying for the biggest game in college football, it’s clear that the positive impact made by King during his life has not been lost and is not being overlooked by the Notre Dame HC ahead of the contest.
Marcus Freeman Talks National Championship on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
When asked about the National Championship Game taking place on the same date as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Freeman detailed how today is about honoring an individual who stood up for the rights of American citizens, something that should not be overlooked because of the massive game.
“MLK Day is about celebrating the life of Dr. King. … None of that light should be taken away by this national championship game. … No matter what the color of your skin is, the example he set for Americans, I think, is tremendous,” he stated.
Marcus Freeman spoke on the national championship being played on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/WsDG0nqlRy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 20, 2025
National Championship Preview
Freeman and his Fighting Irish team will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in tonight’s National Championship Game. The matchup will take place from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and features two of college football’s top defenses.
Ohio State only allowed 12.2 points per game this season, while Notre Dame was close behind at 14.3 points allowed. Though this would indicate a defensive dual in the College Football Playoff final, both teams also feature top offensive units that include star players at various positions.
MORE: Ryan Day Emphasizes Marcus Freeman Has Done ‘Unbelievable Job’ at Notre Dame
The Buckeyes averaged 37.4 points per game offensively (eighth-best) and have elite receiving talents in Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are averaging 38.5 points per game (sixth-best) and have been led by superstar running back Jeremiyah Love and dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard.
To get to this point, Ohio State defeated the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, and Texas Longhorns in the CFP, while Notre Dame triumphed against the Indiana Hoosiers, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Penn State Nittany Lions to qualify for the National Championship.
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