Sun Oct 12 18:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here are the summarization and the news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The article discusses the pre-game rituals of Clemson and Notre Dame football programs, specifically focusing on Clemson’s Howard’s Rock and Notre Dame’s “Play Like a Champion Today” sign. It highlights the significance these traditions hold for players and fans, how they evolved, and their impact on the game day experience. It also touches upon Oklahoma’s claim to a similar sign and the history behind these iconic symbols.

**News Article:**

**Clemson’s Howard’s Rock, Notre Dame’s Sign Endure as Iconic College Football Traditions**

**CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -** Despite the NFL, former Clemson player Hunter Renfrow believes that few things in his football career will ever compare to the chills he got from touching Howard’s Rock before every Clemson home game. As a storm approaches, the question is; how will it affect the performance?

Across college football, some things never change. For Clemson and Notre Dame, those things are the traditions surrounding the gridiron. From Howard’s Rock at Clemson University to the “Play Like a Champion Today” sign at Notre Dame, these pre-game rituals provide inspiration and symbolize the spirit of each program.

Howard’s Rock, a gift to former coach Frank Howard, has become synonymous with Clemson football. Placed atop “The Hill” in 1966, it quickly transformed into a symbol of “mystical powers” for the Tigers. Before each game, players board buses to the east end of the field, where they privately place poker chips into a bucket — they get one for each game they’ve played at Clemson — signaling they are, as current coach Dabo’s Swinney describes it, “all in.” They then touch the rock and charge down the hill and onto the field.

The “Play Like a Champion Today” sign at Notre Dame Stadium was installed in 1986 by former coach Lou Holtz. Tapping the sign before games has become a cherished ritual, representing the players’ readiness to compete and uphold the tradition of the Fighting Irish. Although Oklahoma also claims to have started a similar tradition.

These traditions, steeped in history and lore, offer a connection to the past and a source of motivation for the present, solidifying their place as enduring symbols of college football’s unique atmosphere.

**(Weather Update):** Expect rain and gusty winds out of the NNE at 20-30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph at times. The forecast calls for a 90% chance of rain.

Read More