Marcus Freeman Has Controversial Stance On Fighting During Practice

Marcus Freeman has taken a controversial stance when it comes to players fighting at practice.

The Notre Dame head coach, who led the Fighting Irish to a national championship game appearance two seasons ago, believes that players fighting at practice is a very good thing.

Freeman announced that he won't be discouraging his players from fighting at practice. He believes that it adds to their competitiveness and overall motivation.

“These dudes are competitive. And I don’t want them to lose that competitive spirit,” Freeman said. “If we don’t have scuffles or tussles… then, we’re probably not as competitive as I aspire to have our team to be. But we do have a simple rule. Two guys fighting is the max, and we’re not gonna have full-team melees.

“So, if two guys are fighting, they’re fighting. Everybody else’s job is to break them up. And we have to be proactive about that in terms of showing them and teaching them. And our guys do an unbelievable job at pulling guys apart. Then, you’re not wasting time. We got so much work to do, we can’t waste two minutes breaking up a fight.”

Freeman says they fight like 'brothers'

Freeman said that lines are not crossed..

“Me and my brother, when we would fight, it’s just like brothers, we fight. But there’s a line you don’t cross,” Freeman said. “… Everybody’s line might be a little bit different. But that’s ours.

“If two guys are fighting, don’t cross the line and don’t take it off the field. It can’t be personal. … If I hear about that, then we have a bigger issue. Our captains and our leaders gotta make sure we stop it or I ultimately do.”

Notre Dame has a lot to fight for this year, after missing the College Football Playoff last season.