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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For Jack Salmond, Saturday was the greatest day ever. Not only did his favorite college football team — Notre Dame — take out Navy, but the 17-year-old Cache County resident watched them win at home in South Bend, Indiana, as well.
Jack has been a Fighting Irish fan since he was 10 years old.
"My brother-in-law went to school here at Notre Dame. He's just made me like Notre Dame," Jack said. "I've always wanted to come here (to South Bend) and be on the field."
(It's) just sweet, just sweet. We're just really grateful.
–Patty Salmond, Jack's mother
If anyone has played and fought like a champion, it's Jack. He was born with four heart defects, leading to three open heart surgeries. Over the years, he's faced many challenges and complications, so this trip was special to his family.
"(It's) just sweet, just sweet," his mother, Patty Salmond, said wiping away tears. "We're just really grateful."
With a little "luck of the Irish" — and some help from the Make-A-Wish Foundation — Jack was granted an all-access pass to The Joyce Center and Notre Dame Stadium.
"Jack was on the waiting list. He did not want to change, didn't want to go to Disney World," Patty said. "He said, 'Nope. I'm staying on the list, and I want to come (to Notre Dame).'"
As Jack readied himself to see the stadium where his football dreams would come true, he was treated to another surprise. Former NFL athlete and Notre Dame alum Reggie Brooks was his tour guide.
"It was really cool to have him here," Jack said. "When I first saw him, I was like, 'Whoa! You're still here?'"
Brooks even took Jack onto the football field before the magic moment he'd been waiting for: his first Notre Dame football game.
"He's watched on his iPad; he watches pep rallies; he watches team meetings; he watches everything," his mother said. "So he's excited to just be here."
Contributing: Dave McCann
Kat Thornburgh is a producer for KSL-TV. Find her on Twitter @KSLKat. Email: kthornburgh@ksl.com.
