As one of the most electrifying players to ever suit up for the Fighting Irish, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail received a lot of attention from the media and fans. As he explains, his teammates, coaches and support staff played an important role in helping him stay focused and calm. In this ‘Strong and True’ moment, Ismail and former sports information director Roger Valdiserri (’54) describe how Notre Dame helped protect him from the pressure and noise of being a high-profile athlete.

Rocket Ismail was a two-time first-team All-American, and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1990.