Former Notre Dame LB Michael Stonebreaker elected to College Football Hall of Fame
Michael Stonebreaker added another accolade to an already lengthy list from his time as a Notre Dame football player. He’s now a Hall of Famer.
Stonebreaker, a linebacker for the Irish from 1986-90, has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced Monday. He is one of 22 members of the 2023 class, which includes players and coaches.
At Notre Dame, Stonebreaker was a two-time All-American and won a national championship in 1988. He had 104 tackles in that championship season, finished third in the Butkus Award voting and was a consensus All-American. He missed the 1989 season due to injury, but returned for 1990 and continued his ascent.
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In 1990, Stonebreaker had 95 tackles for a Notre Dame team that went 9-3 and lost to Colorado in the Orange Bowl. He helped seal three of the Irish’s biggest wins that season. He snagged fourth-quarter interceptions in victories over No. 4 Michigan and No. 24 Michigan State. His fumble recovery in the fourth quarter all but clinched a 29-20 win over No. 2 Miami. He was named a unanimous All-American after the season.
All told, Stonebreaker had 220 tackles, 5 interceptions and 8 pass breakups in his Notre Dame career. He came to Notre Dame from John Curtis High School in River Ridge, La.
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The Chicago Bears took Stonebreaker in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played in 16 games as a rookie and made 8 tackles. He was a member of the Atlanta Falcons, but did not appear in a game for them. He played two games for the New Orleans Saints in 1994. His final professional season was with the World League of American Football’s Frankfurt Galaxy in 1995.
Stonebreaker, 55, lives in New Orleans and owns N.O. Brew Coffee, a cold-drip coffee retailer. He is a member of Notre Dame’s Next College Student Athlete Advisory Board.
Notre Dame’s most recent Hall of Fame inductee before Stonebreaker was 1990-93 offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, who was part of the 2019 class. This year was Stonebreaker’s first on the ballot. Former Irish cornerback Todd Lyght (1987-90) was also on the 2023 ballot.
Stonebreaker is the 55th former Notre Dame player or coach to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, the most of any team. He and the other members of the 2023 class will be inducted Dec. 5 in a ceremony at the NFF’s annual awards dinner in Las Vegas.
