The Gipper's Off the Hook

The reason for George Gipp's exhumation has been revealed.

Ellen Weeks Easton said that she had often heard that her grandmother, Eva Bright, had dated Gipp while he was at Notre Dame. Eva became pregnant at the age of 18 and gave birth to a daughter just a few days after Gipp died in December of 1920 of complications from strep throat.

[Mike] Bynum said DNA tests completed late this week after a sample was obtained from the exhumation showed conclusively that Gipp was not the father of Eva Bright's daughter.

"The DNA match wasn't even close to those we had of tests from Eva's family," he said, adding that three tests were taken. [Link]

The Gipper Rises From the Grave

George Gipp died from pneumonia and a strep infection during his senior year at Notre Dame in 1920. Portrayed by Ronald Reagan in Knute Rockne, All American, he is supposed to have urged his teammates from his deathbed to "win just one for the Gipper."

On Oct. 4, his body was exhumed in Michigan, and a DNA sample taken.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Dawn] Nulf said she was contacted a couple of months ago by a family representative seeking the DNA test. She determined a court order was not required for the body to be exhumed. Instead, the family presented an affidavit that was approved by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

Nulf declined to identify the relative but referred a reporter to Mike Bynum, a sports author who has researched Gipp and attended the exhumation. Bynum said it was requested by Rick Frueh, whose grandmother was one of Gipp's sisters. [Link]

The reason for the exhumation was not given. My guess? Notre Dame needed another pep talk.