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Notre Dame OL Steve Elmer leaves football program
Notre Dame offensive lineman Steve Elmer is moving on from football.
Elmer, a three-year starter, announced in a letter written on Notre Dame’s website that he has decided to forgo his final season to pursue a professional career away from the game. Elmer, who currently has a 3.52 grade-point average, is on track to graduate with a degree in economics in May in just three and a half years.
“I have no problems with the coaching staff, no academic issues, and no violations of team rules that normally come along with a statement like this,” Elmer wrote. “My reasons for cutting my playing career short have nothing to do with any negative experiences at Notre Dame; in fact, I would consider my commitment to this exceptional University the best decision I have ever made. Playing football here was a huge challenge, but I wouldn’t trade the experience of doing battle out there on that field with my brothers for anything.
“While playing football for Notre Dame has been nothing short of an honor, I have been presented with an incredible opportunity to pursue a career doing something in which I have great interest, and at a great company to boot. The experience of balancing Notre Dame’s academic rigors with my football commitments has given me a great foundation for my next endeavor. I will graduate from Notre Dame this May and start my professional journey this summer in the Washington, D.C. area.”
In his letter, Elmer, who started 30 games at right tackle and right guard over the past three seasons for the Irish, explained that he is “ready to be done with football.”
“No matter how excited I am about what the future has in store for me, the question that inevitably comes up is: why don’t you just wait until next year? My answer is pretty simple; the excitement I feel about the professional opportunity in front of me has helped me to realize that I’m just ready to be done with football,” Elmer wrote.
“I’ve been playing this game for many years, and quite honestly my heart is no longer in it. I realize that this may be considered sacrilege to some, but it’s truth. What I do love, and where my heart will always be, is the University of Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly offered support for Elmer’s decision.
“Notre Dame is a special place that develops unique and talented people,” Kelly said. “Steve Elmer is such a person. He chose Notre Dame to earn a degree from the top university in the world and play football at the highest level. He’s accomplished both and so much more. This is an incredible professional opportunity for Steve.
"We as a coaching staff talk about how attending Notre Dame isn’t a four-year decision; rather it’s a 40-year investment into your life. This University provides so many different avenues toward success, whether that’s on the football field or in the boardroom, and Steve’s another outstanding example.”
Elmer is the third starting offensive lineman to depart the program following the 2015 season. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley left early for the NFL while center Nick Martin graduated. Nonetheless, the Irish have plenty of options to fill the void. Starters Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey return while Alex Bars, Hunter Bivin, Colin McGovern and Sam Mustipher saw considerable action in 2015.
For more Notre Dame news, visit BlueAndGold.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
