Sometimes the loss of your favorite team is so shocking that it almost kills you.
That's what happened with his father after the Fighting Irish suffered their only loss of the season at home to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, the stand-up comedian and noted Notre Dame fan said. Shane Gillis claims.
Gillis appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday and said his father, Phil, nearly died during the 17-16 loss. It is said that he was so distraught over the loss that he suffered a heart attack.
“My dad had a heart attack because of it,” Gillis said. “He's back. He's been working his way back to health. He's here. He went all the way back to Atlanta.”
Gillis was asked specifically if gaming was to blame for his father's heart attack, but he was cut off before he could answer.
This seemed to work out well for Gillis' father and Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish have yet to lose since then, including wins over Indiana, Georgia and Penn State in the College Football Playoff. They are scheduled to travel from Atlanta on Monday night to play Ohio State for the national championship.
Notre Dame hasn't won a national championship since 1988 under coach Lou Holtz.
Gillis, 37, is a big fan of current Irish coach Marcus Freeman, who is in his third full season as head coach after Brian Kelly left for LSU.
“Marcus is the guy,” Gillis said. “He's the guy. He's amazing. He's the nicest, coolest guy.”
The comedian also slammed Kelly, who said he left Notre Dame to lead LSU in order to have “the resources to win a national championship.”
“He went to LSU,” Gillis said of Kelly. “He's going to ruin the program.”
Kelly recently attempted to explain his comments about the U.S. National Championship, claiming they were said in a way he didn't intend.
“They're selling the product the way they want to sell it.” Kelly told CBS Sports last week.. “Why are you leaving Notre Dame?” I am leaving Notre Dame for another challenge. I took Notre Dame to the championship. That's just the way you want to twist it: “You're just leaving Notre Dame to go win a championship.” You weren't leaving Notre Dame because you didn't win a championship. Notre Dame could have won a championship, but I chose a different path. Because I wanted a different challenge. ”
