Jim Flanigan, Jr.

Yes, this press release is from 2001 but it sums up the Jim Flanigan, Jr. I know nicely…

“Former Notre Dame football standout Jim Flanigan was named co-winner of the Walter Payton National Football League Man of the Year Award, which recognizes community service as well as playing excellence. Flanigan is the third Notre Dame graduate to win the award, joining Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann (’82) and Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson (’87). Past winners includes 12 members of the Hall of Fame.

Flanigan, an anchor of the Chicago Bears defensive line for seven years, makes a difference with the James Flanigan Foundation, which raises awareness of child literacy through efforts such as the Great American Book Drive, which delivers more than 700,000 books to 400,000 underprivileged children.

His programs include Reach Out & Read Chicago, the Flanigan Foundation Literacy Advocate Award, Mission 99, the James and Susan Flanigan Endowed Scholarship at Notre Dame, and the Jim Flanigan Charity Golf Outing.

Flanigan was his class valedictorian Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wis. At Notre Dame, he started on the defensive line as a junior and senior, earning honorable mention All-America honors in ’93. He twice made the Dean’s List as a business management major and received an academic leadership award.“

Source: Former Notre Dame Football Player Jim Flanigan Named Co-Winner Of The NFL Man of the Year Award

Jim is all of these things and so much more. It was my honor to have served him as a client when I was a consultant in Green Bay, WI. I was hoping that if I had a chance to work as an usher at the Rockne Gate that I’d bump into him one day and yesterday it happened…

 I’m also very excited to know that he has one son that has already committed to Notre Dame and another that is considering that move. His son James who is a standout at Notre Dame de la Baie in Green Bay, WI committed to Notre Dame du Lac a year ago.

I look forward to seeing both of his sons in the tunnel!